TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 185

CONFIDENTIAL

ii. citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, one

of whose parents or grandparents, holds (or would if alive have held) citizenship of the United Kingdon and Colonies through birth, adoption, naturalisation or registration in the United Kingdom;

iii. Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies not in

i. or ii. above but who have the right of abode through being established residents in the United Kingdom for more than five years (Immigration Act 1971 Section 2,(1Xc));

iv. Other Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies

who are established residents in the United

Kingdom at Royal Assent and British Protected

Persons and British Subjects without Citizenship who are established residents at Royal Assent. The precise residence qualifications have yet to be defined. The number the add

this

'those

already covered by the existing definition of United Kingdom national is not expected to exceed 100,000 and it is hoped that the Member States will be prepared to accept them.

3. Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies from

Gibraltar will become British Overseas Citizens. We would hope that the Member States would agree to preserve the rights of entry into the Community of these people.

LINE TO TAKE

4. No early legislation is intended by HMG. In explaining the proposals to the Commission and to Permanent Representatives, you should say that when HMG are ready to present a Bill to Parliament, (probably not for 2 or 3 years) you will hope for a sympathetic response to HMG's proposals for the amendment of the United Kingdom's declaration on the definition of United Kingdom national for EEC purposes.

5. (Gibraltar only). You should assure the Gibraltar Government that HMG will endeavour to preserve the existing rights of entry for British Overseas Citizens from

Gibraltar into member countries of the EEC.

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ZONEIDENTIAL.

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