XN000022-1977-04-27 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1977

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H.M.G.'S GREEN PAPER ON THE BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW

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A GREEN PAPER ON POSSIBLE CHANGES IN BRITISH NATIONAL ITY LAW WAS TABLED BY THE HOME SECRETARY IN PARLIAMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON A NUMBER OF COMPLEX ISSUES RELATING TO NATIONALITY AND CITIZENSHIP. THE OBJECT IS STATED TO BE +TO EXAMINE HOW OUR NATIONALITY LAW CAN BE SIMPLIFIED AND BROUGHT UP-TO-DATE. BRITISH CITIZENSHIP IS NOW IN MANY RESPECTS DIFFERENT FROM THE CITIZENSHIP OF MANY OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING BRITAIN'S PARTNERS IN THE E.E.C.+

THE GREEN PAPER IS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WHICH WILL ALLOW AMPLE TIME FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION. ANY RESULTING BRITISH LEGISLATION WILL NOT BE INTRODUCED FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS. AS STATED IN THE PREFACE +THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THAT THERE IS ROOM FOR DIFFERING VIEWS BOTH ON THE PRINCIPLES AND DETAILS OF A NEW SCHEME, AND THEY THINK IT RIGHT TO GIVE AMPLE TIME FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION OF THE IDEAS IN THE DOCUMENT, WHICH WOULD AFFECT EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY AND MANY PEOPLE OVERSEAS. THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THEMSELVES REACHED NO FIRM CONCLUSIONS ON MANY OF THESE IDEAS. BUT WHERE THEY ARE AT PRESENT INCLINED TOWARDS A PARTICULAR COURSE THE DOCUMENT SAYS SO.+

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UNDER THE PROPOSED SCHEME, CITIZENS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND COLONIES WOULD BECOME EITHER BRITISH CITIZENS OR BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZENS.

BRITISH CITIZENSHIP WOULD BE HELD BY PEOPLE WITH SPECIFIED TIES (BY THEIR OWN OR A PARENT'S BIRTH, REGISTRATION OR NATURAL ISATION) WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM ITSELF. BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP WOULD BE HELD BY THOSE WHO HAVE SIMILAR TIES WITH A DEPENDENT TERRITORY. BOTH BRITISH CITIZENS AND BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZENS WOULD CONTINUE TO CARRY BRITISH PASSPORTS AND TO ENJOY BRITISH CONSULAR PROTECTION.

COMMENTING ON THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER, A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD GIVEN AN ASSURANCE THAT THE PROPOSALS DID NOT HAVE ANY IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG.

+THE GREEN PAPER APPEARS TO ENVISAGE THAT THE RULES GOVERNING ENTRY INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS WOULD REMAIN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THEY HAVE BEEN SINCE THE

IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1971, + HE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE COURSE OF THE DISCUSSIONS OF THE POINTS AND PROPOSALS MADE IN THE GREEN PAPER, BOTH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OVERSEAS IN THE COMMONWEALTH, WOULD BE WATCHED WITH GREAT CARE. IF THERE APPEARED TO BE A DANGER OF THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS BEING AFFECTED ADVERSELY, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE ITS VIEWS KNOWN TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

REPRODUCED COPIES OF THE H.M.G.'S GREEN PAPER ON THE BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM G. 1.S. PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

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