TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 220

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5. Overseas British Communities in Foreign Countries

The proposals would come as a severe blow to many British communities in foreign countries who have hitherto been able to transmit their citizenship of

the United Kingdom and Colonies to their children by consular birth registration, which would be

abolished. Because it would be seen that the

nationality tie of their descendants with this country would be broken, it would be criticised as further evidence of lack of support for British

mercantile communities overseas. There are large British communities in South Africa (about 750,000 people), the USA (about 1 million), Latin America (up to 40,000 in Argentina) and some European countries (France about 30,000; Germany about 60,000).

5. Irish Republic

Irish citizens are treated in United Kingdom law for most purposes, including application for United Kingdom citizenship, as if they were British subjects/ Commonwealth citizens. Moreover, Irish citizens born before 1 January 1949 are able to make a declaration that they have remained British subjects and can then acquire British passports. Since 1949 over 122,000 have made such a declaration. No change is proposed, except that Irish citizens who make the declaration would resume British subject status from the date their application is granted, not re- trospectively from 1 January 1949 as now. Nearly everyone born in Northern Ireland is an Irish citizen and the resulting dual citizenship is resented by Loyalists.

7. The EEC

It was not possible for other EEC countries to accept those CUKCS who were not connected with this country as United Kingdom nationals for the purposes of the Treaty. At the time of our accession to the EEC we therefore made a declaration, which was in fact negotiated, intended to limit the categories of

United Kingdom nationals who would be so regarded for Community purposes. In view of the application of

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