1.23 86 13:30 GMT HO 2 LUNAR HOUSE
HOME OFFICE PRESS LINE
Mr Willia
Mr.Look Layde 23/4 pa Natt
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I spoke to Mr. Lyon about the rather everins
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comfort" as possible, but accepted that it was perhaps not drafted. However, the HO have so
HONG KONG
much v. well
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LINE TO TAKE
at it
enquiries about the
again
had only two routine
for announcement. We therefore agreed to look
if the
tomorrow if
is growing press
Tom Santt 24/14.
interest.
The Government have very carefully considered all the points made by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, the Council of Hong Kong Indian Associations
by others.
Government have gone a long way to meet Hong Kong's wishes. They have agreed an endorsement should be placed in BN (0) passports making it plain that the do not require a visa or entry certificate to visit the UK. This was &
considerable concern to Hong Kong.
ment have also met the concern about the former servicemen in Hong
have given them special recognition.
the Government did not consider it appropriate to grant British citizenship
raan British Overseas citizenship to non-ethnic Chinese who would otherwise
be atateless in 1997. This would not help secure their future in Hong Kong which
is where they say they want to continue to live, This is assured, and can only be
assured by the Sino-British Agreement, which guarantees their future in Hong Kong.
And they will not be left stateless: the provisions the Government intends to make
ensure that they, their children and grandchildren will be able to retain British
nationality. Taken together, these arrangements ensure that no-one will be left in 1997 without a nationality and a place to live in as of right.
:.
→ therefore no good grounds for giving these people British citizenship.
needed and if these people were in the future to be pressured into leaving
then that en be and is much better considered at the time. The grant
ah citiz
cannot be treated as a contingency reserve,
B4 Division
HAM 34011
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 8 APR 1986
Regisipy
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
Action Rasen
J P. EMERY
23 April 1986