TNAG-0902-FCO40-1112-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 104

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4. HOWEVER IF THIS TERM HAS BECOME OBJECTIONABLE THROUGH ASSOCIATION WITH THE ANACHRONISTIC UNITARY SYSTEM, SOMETHING MUST BE FOUND INSTEAD WHICH COMBINES THE UK REQUIREMENT FOR SOME CHANGE OF NAME WITH THE HONG KONG AND PEKING REGUTREMENTS FOR AS LITTLE CHANGE AS POSSIBLE. I TAKE IT THE NAME SHOULD ALSO REFLECT THE NEED FOR A TRAVELLER'S PASSPORT TO INDICATE UNDER THE HEADING OF NATIONALITY THE TERRITORY TO WHICH HE MAY BE RETURNED IF NECESSARY.

5. FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION I WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH MEMBERS OF EXCO WHAT NOMENCLATURE WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE AND HOPE TO TELEGRAPH WITHIN TEN DAYS, BUT I SUGGEST IT WOULD BE WRONG TO GIVE ANY INDICATION OF THIS TO THE HOME OFFICE AT THIS STAGE. I THINK WE SHOULD RATHER CONCENTRATE ON MAINTAINING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL ARGUMENTS FOR A THIRD TIER OF CITIZENSHIP, LEAVING THE QUESTION OF WHAT IT IS CALLED UNTIL THE POINT IS

CONCEDED IN PRINCIPLE.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HK & GD

NTD

MR CORTAZZI

MR FIGG

COPIES TO:

MR BRAY

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE, LONDON

W

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