CONFIDENTIAL UK EYES
From: T A Woolley Sec(0)(C) MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Paver 3
Ryan alveg i Dowell
are
de un habits.
H.
Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB
Telephone: (Direct Dialling) 01-218 6272/12
(Switchboard)
01-218 9000
под below
ties SSS)
сель
I
thick? Ce 14/12
JP Emery Esq
Nationality Division
Home Office
HKK HRR 040/33.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
11 DEC 1985
Your reference
Our reference
D/Sec(0)(C)/6/7/5
Date
9-December 1985
Dear Mr Emening,
DIS
INDEX
PA
Cor
NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCILY HONG KONG CHINESE SERVING IN HM FORCES
1.
Thank you for your letter of 21 November in which you asked MOD's approval of your proposed lines to take on the nationality status and future of Hong Kong Chinese serving in HM Forces.
2.
I am generally content with your suggestions at paragraphs 5(a) and 5(6). However, I would prefer not to volunteer the existence of a study into the future of the garrison as this might give rise to expectations of an early announcement about our plans for a rundown in force levels between now and 1997, which is not currently envisaged. I should therefore prefer the line to be amended to read
in the context of our continuing discussions with the Hong Kong Government on the future of the garrison"
11
3. I am not certain of the wisdom of making quite so bold a statement as that contained in paragraph 5(c). As a statement of fact it is unobjectionable, since the personnel concerned are indeed employed on a contractual basis by the individual ships and not by HMG. Equally, this arrangement could, therefore, logically continue beyond 1997. However, while I appreciate that a statement to this effect might strengthen your hand in deflecting possible criticisms over lack of concern on HMG's part about the employment prospects for these personnel, I do think that we ought
to be cautious in assuming Chinese acquiescence in such an arrangement post 1997. China may well have political objections to her citizens serving in the ships of foreign navies. I therefore, suggest that you delete the central section of your paragraph 5(c), from " and there is no reason.." to "However,.
The last sentence should
be amended in line with my proposed change to 5(a) set out above.
Copy to: NMT
HAH 040 Sec (NS) нни очоли
CM(CG)
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY PL(SHP)
16 DEC 1985 FCO(HKD)—
DES · OFFICER
HEL, TRY
X
PA
Action Taken
Yours sincerely,
Trevor Woolley
CONFIDENTIAL UK EYES