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A) 'SINCE HMG GAVE FULL CITIZENSHIP TO THE FALKLANDERS AND GIBRALTARIANS, WHY NOT EXTEND IT TO THIS TINY GROUP IN HONG KONG?' (NOTE: THE ALLEGATION ABOUT THE FALKLANDS AND GIBRALTAR IS WIDELY BELIEVED HERE. BUT WE DON'T KNOW IF IT IS CORRECT. IF SO, WE NEED A LINE TO TAKE -PREFERABLY MORE CONVINCING THAN, SAY, 'THE CONCESSIONS WERE MADE EXCEPTIONALLY AND DID NOT CONSTITUTE A PRECEDENT.' IF NOT, WE NEED FACTS AND A LINE TO TAKE):
B) WHY CAN'T RESIDENCE RULES BE WAIVED (E.G. AT THE DISCRETION OF THE HOME SECRETARY) FOR THESE LADIES WHO ARE OLD, FRAIL, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO MOVE TO THE UK?
C) IN HIS LETTER OF 24 MARCH 1988 LORD GLENARTHUR TOLD ONE OF THE EX-SERVICEMEN THAT HMG COULD ACCEPT GENEROUS PERIODS OF ABSENCE FROM THE UK DURING THE QUALIFYING PERIOD (THREE YEARS FOR WIVES OF BRITISH CITIZENS). EXACTLY HOW GENEROUS WOULD THAT BE? AND
D) ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WHICH MAY OCCUR TO YOU. WE TOO ARE WORKING ON FURTHER SUPPLEMENTARIES. BUT MR MCGREGOR'S QUESTION HAS REACHED US TOO LATE TO FORMULATE THESE MORE CLEARLY AT THIS STAGE.
4. WE WILL NEED YOUR ADVICE DESKBY 130100Z. APOLOGIES FOR THE SHORT NOTICE.
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7 September 1992
Den 2. Leag
I know that you have taken a particular interest in the case of a group of children who by virtue of their date of birth have not been eligible for registration as British citizens under the British Nationality Act (1981). We discussed this when I visited Hong Kong in May, and the subject was also raised with Douglas Hurd when he visited Hong Kong in July.
We have taken this case up again with the Home Office.. The Home Secretary has concluded that it will still be necessary for each case to be considered individually. Subject to that, the Home Secretary has agreed that he will grant those applications where there is a British citizen parent and a British citizen brother or sister; where the applicant has some residential connection with the UK such as studying here; or where the applicant has been adopted in Hong Kong by British citizen parents. In all other cases, he will look sympathetically at the families' circumstances, taking into account such factors as the age of the parents; their occupation; their connection with the UK, such as periods of residence; cultural or professional links including periods study spent in the UK; ownership of investments or property in the UK; and relatives living in the UK. Since, as I understand it, most of the parents concerned acquired British citizenship through residence in the UK, I am confident that the great majority of applicants will be successful.
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As regards the age limit, the operative date will be the date of application, SO that those children who have since turned 18 have not lost out as a result of the delay in considering their cases, provided that their application was made before they reached 18.
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I am glad that we have been able to reach a conclusion which should be satisfactory to most of the families concerned, and to you and others who have put so much work into their cause.
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Авей
Alastair Goodlad
Dr the Hon Leong Che-hung OBE
Room 1101
Central Building
Peddar Street
Central
Hong Kong