TNAG-0901-FCO40-1111-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 184

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Mr McLaren

Head of Hong Kong and General Department

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NATIONALITY LAW REVIEW: BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP

1.

The Home Office Green Paper on proposed changes in British nationality law published in April 1977 proposed the creation of two classes of British nationality: British citizens (persons with a right to enter the United Kingdom) and British overseas citizens (persons without such a right). Comments were received from colonial governments and as you are aware they were uniformly against the creation of two classes of citizen since that would mean that persons connected with colonies would be placed in an inferior position.

2. The comments of colonial governments were passed to the Home Office. I now enclose a copy of a letter of 12 February 1979 from Mr Lee (Home Office) enclosing a memorandum upon British overseas citizenship. I also enclose a copy of my interim reply dated 2 March. It will be seen that the Home Office intend to go ahead with the creation of two classes of citizen. It is likely that a White Paper embodying the proposals will be published early next session and the legislation will follow, possibly early next year.

3. Although it is the government's intention to impose British overseas citizenship upon the colonies it is not too late to make further representations to the Home Office about the details of that status and I should be grateful for your advice on what reply should be sent to the Home Office.

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4. The matter is of fundamental importance in our relations with the colonies. But it is rather technical and I suggest, if you agree, that we begin by having a meeting in my office of representatives of all interested departments. I can then explain the problem, we can

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