TNAG-0661-FCO40-810-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 60

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1. The memorandum mentioned in paragraph 2 of Mr David's minute of 14 July is with Folio 25 on GNM 340/25.

2. In the draft letter to Sir Y K Kan the only sentence about which I have doubts is "The proposals do not affect the right co entry into the UK of those citizens of the UK and Colonies already possessing this right." So worded, it could easily be received as a harder assurance than the Green Paper justifies. The CUKCs described at (iii) in paragraph 29 of the Green Faper would pro bly include some people connected with Hong Kong, and the paragraph 1003 on to say "there might be a case" for allowing them to retain their present right of entry for their lifetimes.

3. The same question was among those which Mr Davies telegrapas. from Hong Kong, and our draft answer (No.2) sticks closely to the wording of paragraph 29 of the Green Paper. The Notes for Supplementaries related to Mr Hal Millar's PQ on Hong King an Gteen Paper include one which reads "The ideas suggested in the een Paper do not affect the rigat of entry to the UK of those citi...v......... of the United Kingdom and Colonies already possessing that right". My Home Office colleague confirms that his Department favour "Ideas suggested" or "Ideas put forward" rather than "Proposals" when referring to contents of the Green Paper. For the draft reply to Sir Y K Kan he would like to see the PQ Tote amplified so as to reflect more fully the sense of paragraph 29 of the Green Paper. This could be done as follows.

The ideas put forward in the Green Paper cover all citizens of the UK and Colonies who now have the right of entry to the UK: the suggestion is that the majority should have the right preserved by becoming British citizens and that the remainder should be allowed to retuin the right for their lifetimes.

This is perhaps the best way ofconveying as much assurance as we car. consistent with accuracy.

19 July 1977

CONFIDENTIAL

DM Mitchell

Nationality and Treaty Departmeht

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