TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 214

7447 1073840 101M 8/74 Cr.P.C. 839/3

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

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CONFIDENTIAL

October/November 1977, the Act could hardly come into force before Autumn 1979 for practical reasons. To allow 2 years to elapse between publication of the proposals and implementation of the Act would prolong the period of uncertainty and the time available for agitation and representations by overseas governments and groups and by immigrant organisations and others

in this country. Pressures on the United Kingdom immigration controls during this period could be difficult to contain without creating much ill- feeling and misunderstanding.

CONCLUSIONS

13. a. It is important that the FCO should be given

adequate time for the proper consultation of overseas governments and for the preparation of material for use in a public relations campaign on the publication of the proposals,

b. A publication date in the autumn would give ample time for the proper presentation and ex- planation of our proposals overseas and would also have the advantage of shortening the period of uncertainty between publication of the proposals and the implementation of the Act.

c. If however for Parliamentary reasons in the United Kingdom it is considered desirable to publish the proposals this winter, the FCO should be given sufficient time to get advance copies of a Green Paper to overseas posts in time for Governors, High Commissioners, etc, to be

able to use the document in consulting or inform-

ing Goverments/Executive Councils. At the very

least the FCO should have time(3 or 4 weeks) to get a full summary of any agreed document to Governors etc in time for consultation.

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CONFIDENTIAL