TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 134

THE PRESENT SITUATION

14. The Act of 1948 reflected the situation of the United

Kingdom at that time. The country was still an Imperial power; it had direct responsibility for very large populations in Colonial territories. The status of British subject, held by all who had links with the Commonwealth, still seemed

meaningful and relevant. The speed at which colonial

territories were to become independent was not then generally apparent. Women's status lagged considerably behind that of men. All these things have changed, and the cumulative effect

of the changes has been that the citizenship laws of the United Kingdom no longer accurately define those who have the normal attributes of citizenship. This in turn leads to considerable uncertainty and misunderstanding, both at home and overseas, about the United Kingdom's obligations to its

citizens.

THE NEXT STEP - A NEW SCHEME OF CITIZENSHIP

15. A new scheme of citizenship should reflect the strength of the connection which various groups of people have with the

United Kingdom in the world today. First there must be a more

meaningful citizenship for those who have close links with the United Kingdom (including for this purpose, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and who can be expected to identify themselves with British society. Those holding this new citizenship might be known as British Citizens.

16. Such a citizenship would avoid the present difficulties described in paragraph 10 of defining which people are to have the unqualified right of entry to this country. But it might then be necessary to provide protection for the rights of entry now enjoyed by people who did not qualify for the new citizenship, and this is discussed in paragraph 29.

17.

Second, arrangements must be made for those people who are now citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (or