CONFIDENTIAL #
DRAFT
Abolition of the requirement of
British Nationality for the purpose of
confirmation in the rank of Administrative Officer
G.F. 326
Background
Contract officers, of whom
It is at present the policy of the Hong Kong Government to
require Administrative Officers on probation or trial to have or
acquire British nationality (which, in the case of local officers,
normally means British Dependent Territories citizenship) before
they can be confirmed to the Grade.
there are very few, are also subject to the requirement. The origin
of this policy cannot be traced but it is believed that it is based
on the premise that nationality entails allegiance to the Sovereign
so that the requirement promotes the security of the Crown and its
Colonies. The extent of application of the policy has been the
subject of consultation from time to time between the Hong Kong
Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Need for a Change of Policy
2.
Whatever the reasons for the original policy, the intention
is expressed in Section IV of Annex I to the Joint Declaration that
"Hong Kong's previous system of recruitment, employment
for the public service shall, save for any provisions providing
privileged treatment for foreign nationals, be maintained." It is
also known that Dr. Wilson told the Chinese during the negotiations
that the British nationality requirement would be dropped, though no
CONFIDENTIAL #