MADAGG (5)
D:
NATIONALITY AND IMMIGRATION MATTERS
Aware of sensitivities in Hong Kong.
history to this.
There is a very long
Key point is that we are working to create conditions in which people want to stay in Hong Kong. Therefore committed to Joint
Declaration and to work for continued stability and prosperity of
Hong Kong.
(Comparisons with Macao?)
No direct comparisons can be made.
Present position reflects
different historical and constitutional factors which apply in each
case.
(Worse treatment for Hong Kong than other dependent territories?)
Not so. British nationals in Hong Kong treated in same way as
those in most other Dependent Territories. But special
considerations apply to Gibraltar (member of EC) and Falkland
Islands (following the war).
(Citizenship for wives and widows of ex-servicemen?)
Await dossier from OMELCO. Will then look into the position
with Home Office. Sure Home Secretary will look sympathetically at
individual requests for entry to UK.
(Why so few Hong Kong civil servants granted citizenship?)
Matter for Home Secretary's discretion. Made clear during passage of British Nationality Act that Section 4(5) would only be used sparingly.
COVERING RESTRICTED