CONFIDENTIAL

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16

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generations of non-Chinese

persons.

It would not be appropriate

as a general principle to

grant

British nationality indefinitely

and without restrictions to the descendants of British nationals.

However, problems of further generations and potential statelessnes

and we are looking hee into the next century are being urgently

made by the non-Chinese

examined in response to

community in Hong Kong.

representations

INDIANS

A number of Lords raised

Second Reading debate as a

Kong Indian Associations. right of abode of the Indian community in Hong Kong, the majority of

which is composed of people who have been ordinarily resident in

Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 7 years, is

clearly provided for in Section XIV of Annex I to the Joint

Declaration. There is no need for them therefore to seek an

the position of

of ethnic Indians in the

result of lobbying by the Council of Hong

Ministers have taken the line that the

alternative right of abode.

OTHER DIFFICULTIES

A full list of nationality supplementaries dealing inter alia with

the points raised in the Second Reading debate are attached.

CONFIDENTIAL

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