TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 110

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CONFIDENTIAL

3. (To all) The sentences referring to consular birth registration in para 6e and f of the guidance telegram should be amplified to make clear that although consular birth registration would no longer confer citizenship, the registration facility (for citizens only) would remain. The last sentence of para 6e should accordingly begin "The continued conferment of citizenship by consuler registration

of births overseas

The second sentence of para Ef should begin "Abandonment of the principle of conferring citizenship by consular registration of births

IT

Persons sufficiently interested in the proposed changes should be encouraged to obtain a copy of the Green Paper end study it before making further enquiries or representations. They should be directed to MSÓ's local agents, where they exist. Where they do not, they should write to HMSO at PO Box 569 London SE1 ONH, enclosing a remittance to cover the cost and postage (amount not yet known).

5. The text of the leaflet is as follows:- Quote

POSSIBLE CHANGES IN THE BRITISH NATIONALITY

LAW

1.

The Home Secretary presented to Parliament on 27 April 1977 a Green Paper on possible changes in British nationality law. The Green Paper is a consultive document. The Government do not intend to introduce early legislation on the subject. They recognise 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 Britain and many people overseas. The Government have themselves reached

2 CONFIDENTIAL

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