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Branch has advised that there is no objection to
dropping the nationality requirement, which does
not apply to other General Grades.
There are,
therefore, no security grounds for delaying a
change in policy.
(b) Oaths of allegiance
Issues such as the oath of allegiance of JPs, many
of whom are Administrative Officers, and of certain
other office holders such as the Clerk of Councils
(which specifically require loyalty to the Crown)
will also need to be considered but it is felt that
these can be tackled separately from the issue of
requiring British Nationality for AOs. (The
alternative oath provided for in the Oaths and
Declarations (Amendment) Ordinance 1985 appears to
offer an appropriate alternative.)
(c) Consultation
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Public
Service Commission, and probably the Executive
Council, would need to be consulted before any
change in policy could be agreed and implemented.
G.F. 326
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