RESTRICTED
OCMIAN 4000
RESTRICTED
OO HOKON
FM FCOLN TO HOKON
011700Z MAY
GRS 237
Han 34011
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
-
- 6 MAY 1986
DESK OFFICER
STRY
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
RESTRICTED
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 807
OF 01170OZ MAY 86
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
647
TOP COPY
34000 - 1
NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCIL: PQ
1.
LORD MOLLOY HAS PUT DOWN THE FOLLOWING PQ FOR ORAL ANSWER
ON 6 MAY:
'TO ASK HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT WHAT REPRESENTATIONS
THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG INDIAN
ASSOCIATIONS ABOUT THE GRANT OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP AND RIGHT
OF ABODE IN BRITAIN TO BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS,
AND WHAT REPLIES THEY HAVE GIVEN'.
2.
THE HOME OFFICE PROPOSE TO REPLY AS FOLLOWS:
THE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG INDIAN ASSOCIATIONS ASKED THE
GOVERNMENT TO GRANT BRITISH CITIZENSHIP RATHER THAN BRITISH
OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP TO THOSE BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
CITIZENS OF HONG KONG WHO ARE NOT ETHNICALLY CHINESE AND WHO
WOULD OTHERWISE BE STATELESS IN 1997. THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED VERY CAREFULLY THE COUNCIL'S REQUEST, INCLUDING ALL THE ARGUMENTS IN ITS SUPPORT PUT FORWARD IN YOUR LORDSHIP'S HOUSE AND
ELSEWHERE. BUT AS MY RT. HON FRIEND THE HOME SECRETARY ANNOUNCED
ON 23 APRIL, WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT TO GRANT THIS REQUEST. THE ARRANGEMENTS WE HAVE MADE GUARANTEE
PEOPLE'S CONTINUED RIGHT TO LIVE IN HONG KONG AND WILL ENSURE THAT
1
RESTRICTED