E.R.
From:
CR Miller
B2 Division
Ms Bailey
760 2507
14 May 1990
HONG KONG BILL: MR BOWEN WELLS MP
CC
Ms Dent Mr Morris Miss Dews
Mr Harrington Mrs Grimsey
Mr Casey
Mr Morris (HKD)
Mr. Seymow (LAB)
During Committee last week Mr Bowen Wells MP asked Mr Lloyd about
the position of the widowed spouses of British citizens. He
referred to correspondence from the Concerned British
Expatriates' Society and argued that the spouses of British
citizens should be eligible for British citizenship while still
resident in Hong Kong. The relevant extract from Hansard is
attached (Annex A) together with the letter from the Concerned British Expatriates' Society, which they
which they circulated to all
members of the Committee (Annex B).
I attach a draft reply to Mr Wells which sets out the requirements of the Immigration Rules in relation to spouses, the
terms of the concession announced by the Home Secretary at Second
Reading, and the provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981
governing applications for naturalisation from the spouses of
British citizens.
I understand that Mr Wells also asked Mr Lloyd what was the legal basis of the Home Secretary's concession, as it does not appear either in the Hong Kong Bill or the Immigration Rules, and the draft reply responds to this point also.
You indicated that Mr Lloyd may wish to circulate copies of his letter to Mr Wells to the other members of the Committee.
Colin R. Muller
е.
CR MILLER