TNAG-0901-FCO40-1111-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 45

iv) the limitation of categories who might be

equated with Crown Servants (e.g. EEC and UN agency officials).

The Number of Citizenships

4

The provision in the Home Secretary's proposals which causes most difficulty for the FCO is the one to create two citizenships:-

i)

ii)

British Citizenship (for those with the right of abode in the UK); and

British Overseas Citizenship (for the remainder). The purpose of this provision is to distinguish, for immigration purposes, between those persons who belong to the United Kingdom and those who do not.

5. Since this proposal was first made public in the 1977 Green Paper on Nationality it has drawn strong protests from the Governments of Hong Kong, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, on the grounds:-

but no rght of abode.

ahnu.

L

не

B

e)

b)

that the new British Overseas Citizenship would be generally regarded as a second class citizen- ship;

if the present citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies was to be divided, it would be wrong to lump together those living in existing Dependent Territories, who have a direct constitutional relationship with the British Government, and those with no strong links with and no right of abode in - either the

United Kingdom or any of the Dependent Territories. 6. A summary of the representations received is attached. They have been brought to the attention of the Home Office from time to time, but Home Offics officials have continued to work within the guidelines laid down in the Green Paper.

7. Since 1962, British passport holders resident in the

/Dependent

CONFIDENTIAL

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