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4

B

7

18

visit to Hong Kong last December and wrote back to Mr Lloyd

on 28 January to lend his support to this request. Dr Leong

of OMELCO discussed it with Mr Lloyd on 14 January and again

briefly on 17 February (I attach a copy of the records of the two meetings, supplied by the Home Office). Mr Lloyd showed himself to be sympathetic to Dr Leong's arguments and said that he would consider the idea of registration after receiving advice from his officials in B4 Division

(Nationality). In the event the matter was overtaken by the

General Election.

D

(20)

4.

We have now learnt from B4 Division of the Home Office

that they are advising their new Minister, Mr Wardle, to

resist this proposal because they are afraid it may create a

precedent. If we are to ensure that the political

considerations are given full weight a further

Ministerial letter supporting OMELCO's request would be

helpful before Mr Wardle takes a decision. The Governor

believes that a negative response on this small but emotive issue would do disproportionate harm in Hong Kong.

задлясь

PF Ricketts

Hong Kong Department

Ada

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