TNAG-0901-FCO40-1111-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 150

布政司署

香港下亞畢道

CONFIDENTIAL

O

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

**** Our Ref.: (37) in SCR 39/2091/72 III

**YOUR Ref.:

27th February, 1979

Mr. R. J. T. McLaren

Hong Kong and General Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1A 2AH ENGLAND

TAKK 340/1

RELIVED

INDE:

13 MAR 1979

Dear Robin.

Green Paper on British Nationality Law

I have been prevented from replying to your letter of the 22nd November on the above subject by other more urgent matters, but I am now able to do

There are two points.

so.

2.

Firstly, in paragraph 16 of Sir Denys Robert's dispatch of the 7th July, he asked for HMG's reactions to the se representations. We still need to be able to say something to UMELCO even if, in the nature of the problem, it is unlikely to be very informative. It would, I believe, be a mistake simply to send them a copy of the Secretary of State's formal response dated 10th October. They would take amiss what would look like a brush-off on a matter of deep concern to many of them.

3. Secondly, I hope you will let us know the moment any steps are made to take this matter further. In particular we should like an assurance that we shall be consulted before there is any further serious consideration of producing a White Paper. So far you have confirmed in paragraph 3 of your letter under reference that my understanding of your views is on record. But this is not enough, Your point about an assurance of HMG's commitment to Hong Kong can only be an ultimate fall-back position. What we would like to have on record now is the likely position of HMG towards the whole White Paper concept in the light of the representations we have so far made.

4.

On a very much related subject we understand that the Select Committee on Race Relations and Immigration is still very active. We would like to be advised of its progress and thinking in so far as it effects the proposals in the Green Paper. We should also, of course, like to have any advance notice of its work which may involve Hong Kong and the proposals for the establishment of British Overseas citizenship.

5.

I am sending a copy of this letter to Dennis Bray.

Yours wer.

c. c. D. C. Bray, Esq.

(L. M. Davies) Secretary for Security

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