TNAG-0355-FCO40-391-Identity-and-terminology-of-second-generation-residents-in-H-1972 — Page 12

CONFIDENTIAL

MR WILFORD

FORD

AN IDENTITY FOR THE INHABITANTS OF HONG KONG

1.

I suspect that there may be more substantial objection to pursuing Lord Butler's suggestion that we should create class called "Chinese Citizens of Hong Kong". The sort of

objections I have in mind are:-

(a)

Political

The phrase quoted by Lord Butler seems to me to imply the creation of a Third China. Would not Peking

see it that way?

(b) Legal

Does not the term "Citizen" have a special

significance in law viz: it is associated with independence. The constitutions of the West Indian Associated States

for instance contain provision that though the chapter dealing with Citizenship shall not come into effect until after the Association between the States and Britain have become independent. It is my impression that it was because of this legal point we were driven to devise the unglamorous term "belonger" to meet the position of persons in a Dependent Territóry who wanted a closer association with that territory than the status of British subject implied. Mr Rushford can confirm this. In other words I think I agree with your conclusion but I believe the objections which indeed may be implicit in paragraph 3 of Mr Laird's submission need, if they do have validity, to be brought out more clearly. Can you reconsider?

2.

15 May 1972

Copy to:

Mr Laird Mr Rushford

(L Monson)

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