Miß have
CONFIDENTIAL
no amendments
+ to the text.
fosygest
Tig/Nichsten Ppt dep
agrees
with all NTD's
amendments
FROM: D W PARTRIDGE, NTD
DATE: 3 JANUARY 1986
Лит
Mr Hill,
Hong Kong Department
Copy to: Mr McDougall, MVD
HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE ON HONG KONG NATIONALITY ORDER-IN-COUNCIL
1.
N/R
Under cover of your minute of 30 December you sent to Mr Marcellin (who is at present on leave) draft notes on passports for the closing speech of the Hong Kong debate.
2. NTD's view is that these drafts, as with so many of the other papers that we have seen on this subject, are too defensive. They give the impression that we start from a presupposition that holders of passports describing them as BN(O)s will have difficulty and that a "campaign" is necessary to persuade other countries to recognise these passports. I accept that Hong Kong officials
themselves are particularly guilty of this. But I do not think that we should fall into the same trap ourselves.
3. We do not, in particular, like the references to "new" passports. What will be "new" will be the nationality status. The passports themselves will be normal British passports describing the appropriate national status of the holder. I accordingly return copies of your drafts with suggested amendments in manuscript in accordance with this thinking.
4.
I am copying this minute, with your drafts, to MVD who may have further comments on the second draft because of their concern with visa abolition agreements.
Fikk 04014
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
- 7 JAN 1986
DESK OFFICER INDEX
REGISTRY
IPA
Action Taken
3 January 1986
dybrz
DW Partridge
Nationality & Treaty Department
CONFIDENTIAL