TNAG-0902-FCO40-1112-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 80

CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

1. At the meeting of the Home Affairs Committee on 31 July considerable concern

was expressed about the effect and acceptability of the restrictions on the

acquisition of citizenship by descent as proposed in the Home Secretary's paper (H(79)44); on the other hand, it was strongly contended that any concessions in

this area would undermine the basis of the proposals in the memorandum by breaking

in effect the link between citizenship and an established and direct commitment to

this country. It was agreed that the Home Office should consider the question

further, bearing in mind the political aspects and consulting the Law Officers as

appropriate.

Crown Service etc

2. The position of people in Crown Service was also discussed. While welcoming

the concessions proposed, some members of the Committee thought that they should

be extended to people working for closely allied bodies such as the British

Council, international organisations of which the United Kingdom is a member,

ancillary bodies connected with the Armed Forces and so on. It is thought that

these matters can be dealt with adequately by careful drafting, and the proposals

will be discussed with the Departments concerned. It must be borne in mind,

however, that the more generously the provisions for Crown Service are extended,

the more pressure there is likely to be from business men, self-employed persons

and others for similar treatment for their descendants.

Scope of this Paper

3. The remainder of this paper deals with the descendants of people who live

overseas and are employed by business etc firms or are self-employed.

Some will

be on short contracts overseas, while others are of families which have a long

tradition of service overseas, or who serve with firms with a "father and son"

tradition of staffing.

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