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both from those who believe
we are doing too much for the people of
Hong Kong and from those who feel that HMG have done too little.
HMG is doing too much
is
to
The arguments of those who think we are doing too much are likely
centre on the retention of British nationality, and the benefits
that nationality carries with it. Some could argue that it
wrong
to perpetuate a situation in which persons who do not have the right
of
abode in the UK nevertheless hold a form of British nationality.
Others could argue that it is wrong for persons who derive their
British nationality from a connection with a Dependent Territory
continue to hold such nationality when that territory itself ceases
to be British. Still others might argue that the benefits to be
enjoyed by those who hold the new form of nationality should be
be far
less than those enjoyed by BDTCs.
to
to
Memorandum.
which HMG are
has been made clear to the Executive
a political commitment
Ministers will wish to rebut these arguments forcefully. They may
refer to the very great importance attached by Hong Kong people
the retention of their nationality status and to the clear
reassurance on this point already provided in the UK
That Memorandum represents
bound to uphold. Moreover it
Council of Hong Kong that
that the benefits of the new status will be the
same in all major respects as those now enjoyed by BDTCs, except for
the loss of transmissibility. There can be no going back on these
commitments.
Some Lords who think we are doing too much for the people of Hong
Kong may also try to write into the Bill an explicit provision that
the new form of nationality will not carry the right of abode in the
UK.
The UK
Memorandum makes it clear that
the right of abode in the UK.
so might be taken
Ministers may also
This is quite unnecessary.
the new form will not carry with it
There is no need to legislate on the point; to do
as a gratuitous insult in Hong Kong. Moreover
say that the powers in the Bill as drafted could
used to confer the right of
abode
in
the UK on
not subsequently be
BN(0) s.
This
is
because:
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