Dear Charles
From: THE PRIVATE SECRETARY
Tue
9/5
HOME OFFICE
QUEEN ANNE'S GATE
LONDON SWIH 9AT
670
1 May 1986
HONG KONG: CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE COUNCIL OF
HONG KONG INDIAN ASSOCIATIONS
(375)
In his letter to you of 22 April, Robert Culshaw said that we would provide you with a draft reply to the letters which the Prime Minister has received from the Vice-President of the Council of Hong Kong Indian Associations which would refer briefly to a letter the Home Secretary was to send.
The Home Secretary wrote to Mr Sital on 29 April, the day after the Nationality Order in Council was laid in the House. I attach a copy of the Home Secretary's letter which explains why we thought it right to refuse the ethnic minorities' request for British citizenship.
As Robert Culshaw said, we propose the Prime Minister should send only a short reply. A draft letter is attached. Once the letter has been signed, we should be grateful if you could pass it to Christopher Hum in the FCO Hong Kong Department who will arrange for the text to be telegrammed to the Governor so that he can pass it to Mr Sital. The letter itself can then follow by bag.
cc Mr Hudson
Mr Woodland
Mr Hyde
Mr Lyon Mr Mower Mr Ham (Fco)
Mr Bickham
Han 300/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
12 MAY 1986
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With withi
W R FITTALL
C D Powell, Esq