TNAG-0661-FCO40-810-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 64

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Office Minister in general terms in the Commons debate on the Bill). But I suppose we can expect other territories, eg Hong Kong and the Falklands (the latter have in fact recently expressed an interest through the CPA) to enquire more closely in the wake of the Green Paper. Since the arrangements do not arise from the Green Paper, I suggest that when talking to the Hong Kong Government about the latter there is no need to volunteer information about the administrative facility for Gibraltarians although you will of course wish to draw on paragraph 2 above in relation to Gibraltar's position in the EEC.

7 Your third question 'how such exceptions can be justified to Hong Kong and other dependent territories' is based on the assumption that such exceptions exist and since they do not there is no need for any justification. However, I can see that Hong Kong may feel that they are getting less than Gibraltar but the answer to such a complaint is that the new definition of a United Kingdom national will not change as far as Gibraltar, or any other dependent territory, is concerned, Gibraltar will continue to be included under Article 227 of the Treaty of Rome because of its geographical situation.

8 I hope that the above explanations will help you to answer the fears expressed by the Governor of Hong Kong. I am indebted to SED and EÏD(I) for their contributions to this minute.

27 July 1977

Rf. Smedley

R G Smedley

Nationality and Treaty Department

cc Mr Hawley

Mr Murray

Mr Winchester (SED) Mr O'Neill (SAD)

Mr Jasper (HK&GD) Mr Duff (WIAD)

Mr Petrie (EID(I))

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