CONFIDENTIAL
SPEAKING NOTE FOR MR RENTON'S MEETING WITH MR WADDINGTON, 9
JANUARY 1986
Hong Kong Nationality Order in Council
1.
Will be offering support during debate.
2.
Great build up of feeling in Hong Kong reflected in
lobbying of MPs. Boils down to 3 demands:
(a) an
endorsement should be entered in BN (O) passport
affirming holder's right to visit UK;
(b) that non-Chinese BDTCs should be granted full
British citizenship; and
(c) that ex-servicemen should also be granted British
citizenship.
The se
proposals have
Legislative Councils.
unanimou s
support of Executive and
They have also been supported by the
Hong Kong Government, which has bowed to the overwhelming
pressure from Unofficials.
Very strong speech in support
by senior Unofficial, Ms Lydia Dunn, in LegCo meeting
yesterday.
3.
Appropriateness of these demands may well be open to
debate: but likely to command sympathy in Parliament, and
need to face up to
to a political situation. Total rejection of demands would certainlu bring us problems in Hong Kong. Might also conceivably put Order in Council in difficulties
in Parliament (particularly in House of Lords). Need to
see if can move to meet any of them.
CONFIDENTIAL