GRS 450
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
Confidential
TO DESKBY 08113OZ FCO
TELNO 68
OF 08093OZ JANUARY 86
INFO DESKBY 09010OZ PEKING
TOP COPY
31
YOUR TELNO
: WHITE PAPER ON DRAFT NATIONALITY ORDEP.
1. AS REQUESTED THE CHIEF SECRETARY INCLUDED A PASSAGE IN HIS SPEECH
THIS AFTERNOON TO THE EFFECT THAT HE WAS SURE THAT MEMBERS WOULD
UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROPOSALS MADE IN MISS DUNN'S LETTERS RAISED
DIFFICULT ISSUES OF PRINCIPLE FOR HMG.
2. IN HER SPEECH MOVING THE MOTION MISS DUNN SPOKE VERY STRONGLY
ABOUT THE FEELING IN HONG KONG ON THE SUBJECT AND ABOUT THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT. HER SPEECH WILL BE SENT
SEPARATELY WHEN THE HANSARD TEXT IS AVAILABLE. IN SPEAKING IN THIS
WAY SHE WAS REFLECTING THE STRONG VIEWS EXPRESSED BY OTHER
UNOFFICIALS ON THESE ISSUES IN THEIR CONSULTATIONS (MY TELNO 35).
THERE WAS UNPRECEDENTED APPLAUSE FOR HER SPEECH FROM OTHER MEMBERS.
3. MISS DUNN CAME TO SEE ME PRIVATELY THIS MORNING SEEKING ASSURANCE
THAT THE STRENGTH OF FEELING AMONG THOSE AFFECTED IN THE COMMUNITY
ON THIS ISSUE WAS FULLY APPRECIATED IN LONDON. I ASSURED HER THAT I
HAD INDEED CONVEYED THIS TO MINISTERS AND IN ORDER TO MEET HER
ANXIETIES AND THOSE OF OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WOULD DO SO AGAIN
FOLLOWING THE DEBATE TODAY. SHE AGAIN EMPHASISED THAT THE PASSPORT
QUESTION HAD BECOME A SYMBOL IN THE EYES OF BRITISH NATIONALS HERE
OF HMG'S COMMITMENT TO THEM: AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE REACTION
IF THERE WAS A COMPLETELY NEGATIVE REPLY. THIS WOULD BE BOUND TO
HAVE ITS IMPACT ON THE CREDIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AS A BRITISH ADMINISTRATION, AS WELL.
4. TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF OTHER MEMBERS MISS DUNN INCLUDED IN HER
SPEECH A REQUEST THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE INFORMED OF ANY
RESPONSE FROM HMG AT ITS NEXT MEETING ON 15 JANUARY. THAT MEETING
WILL, OF COURSE, OCCUR ON THE DAY BEFORE THE PAPLIAMENTAPY DEBATE
ON THE ORDER IN COUNCIL.
5)
Confidential
нин ошон
RECEIVED IN PEGISTRY
-
8 JAN 1936
DESK
INDEX
34