TNAG-0901-FCO40-1111-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 139

Zit

Regi No.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret,

Secret.

Confidential.

Restricted.

Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

DRAFT Submission

To:-

Mr Figg

HKK 340/1

RECEIVED:

DESK OF INDEX

86.7 1

1

Type 1 +

From

RG Smedley

Telephone No. Ext.

Department

N&TD

in Confidence PROPOSED CHANGES IN BRITISH NAWONALITY LAW: OBJECTIONS FROM

DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

PROBLEM

1.

A number of dependent territories have strongly opposed

the proposal in the Green Paper of 1977 (copy attached, Annex I). to create a class of British national termed British

Overseas Citizen which will include all persons who are now

citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC) who have no

right of abode in the United Kingdom.

PROPOSED SOLUTION

2.

It is suggested that existing CUKC be divided into three

classes (instead of two as proposed in the Green Paper):-

(a) those with the right of abode in the United Kingdom;

those with the right of abode in a dependent territory;

the remainder.

(b)

(c)

It is also necessary to define acceptable terminology for thes

classes since the term British Overseas Citizen has proved un-

popular.

BACKGROUND

3. One of the most important proposals in the Green Paper

of April 1977 is the abolition of citizenship of the

United Kingdom and Colonies and the creation of two citizen-

ships:

(a) British citizenship.

British citizens are to have an

unqualified right of free entry to the United Kingdom

(Green Paper, pages, top);

Dd 0532000 800M 5/78 HMSO Brackne!!

/(b)