TNAG-0902-FCO40-1112-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 111

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00 F C O

RELIVAN S

2

PA

Back Monday

1321/9

MR FICC (away)

ме

MR CORTAZZI, was Hel HudaD

D:

Desculled

DUT

Квант

Mo Paloral M. McLaren X

ملكا

don't theilk

there is any

we can

add. This tel

has crossed your

(87)

GR 208

CONFIDENTIAL

FM SINGAPORE 2181572

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TEL NO. 327 OF 29 SEPTEMBER 1979.

PERSONAL FOR FIGG FROM MURRAY.

NATIONALITY

21/ix

Dee(95)

THE MORE I LOOK AT THE HOME OFFICE NOTE TRANSMITTED WITH HILLARY'S LETTER OF 19 SEPT THE LESS I LIKE IT. ON HONG KONG I CAN DRAW ON PARAS 1 AND 2 AND SOME OF THE REST TO SHOW WHY MINISTERS BELIEVE CHANGE MUST BE MADE. I CAN ALSO TRY OUT THE RELATIVE DISADVANTAGES FOR HONG KONG OF A TWO OR THREE TIER SYSTEM.(THERE ARE NO ADVANTAGES). BUT AS I INDICATED IN MY MINUTE I THINK THE HOME OFFICE, IN EXPRESSING ITS DUTY TO PROTECT BRITISH CITIZENS, HAS NOT GIVEN ANY WEIGHT TO THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE (CERTAINLY OF THE FCO) TO PROTECT CITIZENS OF THE QUEEN'S DEPENDENT TERRITORIES. THUS IN PARA 5 I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT THE ARGUMENT FOR A THREE TIER SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO REST MAINLY ON THE POSITION OF HONG KONG AND I THINK I SHALL HAVE TO SAY SO TO THE GOVERNOR,

THE ARGUMENT IN PARLIAMENT MUST SURELY REST ON OUR DUTY TOWARDS CITIZENS WHO HAVE A CLEAR ABODE IN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES WHICH, WHATEVER WORDING IS USED, WE AND THE REST

OF THE WORLD REGARD AS BRITISH. THIS IS A SEPARATE ISSUE.

2.

HUGH CORTAZZI MAY HAVE SOME MORE THOUGHTS.

HENGINGS.

NNNN