TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 21

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Mr Stewart

CONFIDENTIAL

GREEN PAPER ON NATIONALITY

(Reference

Reference.

39)

in this müsre

are to pupelion Hkk 340|1,

1916)

1. I undertook to dig out the information we have on record about the number of British subjects in Hong Kong with a right of entry into the UK following the talk you had with Sir Y K Kan over lunch on 10 June. The meeting that Sir Y K and Dr S Y Chung had with Lord Goronwy-Roberts on 8 June and the Governor of Hong Kong's letter of 21 May to the Minister of State are also relevant.

2.

You said that you were not clear about the authority for the statement in paragraph 3 of last year's Planning Paper that there are "some 24 million British subjects of Chinese origin in the Colony (a figure which is increasing at a rate of about 80,000 a year), of whom some 200,000–300,000 ̄ may have special claims on us through their connection with the colonial government". As I recorded in a minute I wrote last August, I have never been happy about the basis for this statement. Be that as it may, however, I think the authoritative statement on the various categories of British persons in Hong Kong is that contained in my minute of 16 June 1976 to PS/Mr Luard. This minute was worked out in consultation with the various departments concerned and, as you will see from your predecessor's comment on it, it was agreed that it should be put with the Planning Paper, the implication being that it would be regarded as the most complete and authoritative statement available in the circumstances. addition to this minute you may also like to look at Mr Rowlands' answers to Mr Tom Arnold's PQ on 30 July last (which brought together information which had been supplied in answer to previous PQs by Mr Patrick Wall and Mr Skeet on 20 May and 11 June); the letter of 25 August last from the Secretary for Security's office in Hong Kong; and paragraphs 5 and 6 (on page 2) of Mr Luard's letter of 27 September to Mr Arthur Lewis MP, which contained a more up to date estimate of the number of CUKCs, (or UK nationals) in Hong Kong. As you will see, the position is believed to be as follows:-

In

(a) The total number of British subjects in Hong Kong is estimated at about 2.6 millions (on the basis of a census estimated in the summer of 1976). The overwhelming number of British subjects (probably 99%+) are CUKCs. This number includes mainly British subjects of Chinese origin as well as British subjects from the UK and other Commonwealth countries living in Hong Kong.

(b) The total number of British passport holders was about 350,000 as of May 1976. This figure was based on the total number of Hong Kong British passports issued between 1 January 1965 and early June 1976 with an allowance made for the number no longer believed to be valid.

(c) The total number of British passport holders with a right of entry into the UK is "not likely to be more than a few thousand". This formula was used in answer to the Pas to which I have referred and was defended by Mr Luard in paragraph 6 of his letter to Mr Lewis.

CODE 18-77

$5 10/76

CONFIDENTIAL

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