E.R.
Paragraph 17
Despite my comment on paragraph 7 above, and at the risk of appearing to gloss
the Parliamentary answer, I would like to work in some reference to those
concerned who are "not nationals of any other country". Otherwise we may be
commifting ourselves to taking any British national, including a British national
(Overseas) who has Chinese nationality, or, at least in theory, the nationality
of some other country such as Pakistan.
In addition to these particular points, my own inclination, though this is very
much a matter for Ministers, is to offer them rather more by way of Parliamentary
background either at the beginning or at the end of the draft speech.
We need,
I suggest, to include a passage which indicates that, as befits their importance,
the nationality provisions of the agreement with the Chinese have been the subject
of a series of Parliamentary debates:-
(a)
During the debate which approved the terms of the agreement with
the Chinese
(b) During the passage of the Hong Kong Act
(c)
In a debate on the draft of the Order in Council.
On all these occasions the House of Commons has demonstrated its support for the
proposals now before them as part of the unique understanding reached with the
Chinese, and the Government is confident that on this occasion also the proposals
will command the wholehearted support of the House.
1 May 1986
WNY
W N HYDE