TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 216

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industrial and political resistance against

let would be presented as evidence that HMG

intended to break the Colony's link with

Britain and drive it into the arms of Spain. We

should have to make clear to the Gibraltarians

that their freedom of access to the United King-

dom would not be diminished. Dr Summerskill has

agreed to the continuance of the existing administrative facility for unrestricted entry into this country. The Governor of Gibraltar advised in strong terms, when consulted, that the creation of a British Overseas Citizenship

was unlikely to be received in Gibraltar any more favourably than it would be elsewhere.

His view was that it would create a furore, with the possibility that the IWBP would seize on it as evidence of HG's intention to throw

overboard the 1969 Constitutional link with

Britain and all that it stands for. Some

Gibraltarians would regard it as indicating, if not a sell-out, at least an intention of driving Gibraltar towards association/integration with Spain.

c. Falkland Islands

The proposals would cause deep resentment. It is HiG's policy to encourage links between the Islands and Argentina, but most Islanders and their supporters in London suspect HMG of wishing to encourage "creeping integration". They might be encouraged to cooperate if some of their current grievances were removed, but the nationality proposals would provide them with another grievance which they and their supporters would be likely to exploit. A Parliamentary statement will be made this month, leading it is hoped, to talks with the Argentine Government. The early publication of a Green Paper would come out at an embarrassing time.

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