TNAG-0901-FCO40-1111-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 121

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- 5 JUL 1979

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no 18.710

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PROPOSED CHANGES IN BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW: 0BJ6CPTONS FROM DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1. The Home Office having proved impervious to representations made on behalf of the dependent territories, it was decided that I should make a submission suggesting that Mr Luce write to Mr Raison (Home Office) drawing attention to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office view that the proposals in the Green Feper to create a class of United Kingdom national termed "British Overseas Citizen" were unsatisfactory. I had drafted a submission to this effect and had circulated it to all departments responsible for dependent territories for their comments when I learned that the Home Secretary was on the point of writing to our Secretary of State proposing that legislation be introduced at an early date.

In the circumstances there seemed no point in submitting as originally intended and after consulting you I decided to take no further action until the Home Secretary's letter is received. I am sending a copy of this minute to the Heads of all the departments of the dependent territories to explain why the submission they have seen in draft form will not now go forward, at least in its present form.

4 July 1979

сс Kr Duggan, SAmD

Mr Gordon, SED

Kr Holmes, WIAD Mr

Kr Cook, SPD

Mr Perceval, MCD

Mr McLaren, HKGD

RG Smedley

Nationality and Treaty Department

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