TNAG-0903-FCO40-1113-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 11

a)

ritish Colonial Citizen

b)

Citizen of the British Colonies

c)

Citizen of the British Dependent Territories

d)

Citizen of British Dependencies

e)

British Dependent Territories Citizen

The Home Office are totally opposed to any Colonial title containing the words "United Kingdom" because it becomes too close to the present title of CUKC

to be

and because it is not used even in the title of UK

A

belongers. Their preference is for (a) or (b) above, with a slight preference for (b). We think there is little to choose between the two: (a) is more euphonious and fits well with the titles of the other 2 categories, but has a taint of inferior citi- zenship; and (b) fits well with the concept of citizenship being related to territory. The alter- natives (c), (d) and (e) have the merit of avoiding the words Colony or Colonial but little else which have become rather 3. Views so far expressed by Governors suggest that the establishment of a category for colonial belongers separate from that of British Overseas Citizens was more important than the name, and that the inclusion of the name of the colony to which the person belonged would be generally welcomed. Nevertheless, your views on the options would be welcomed.

4. In considering this question I think we should bear in mind that the form in which a person will most commonly see his status expressed will be in his passport and for other administrative purposes, and this could have a bearing on preferences. For example, if the collective title were British Colonial Citizen possible ways which have been put forward for expressing this administratively are

<<

emotive terms.

In certam contexts

these days, as well as not beny Strutly accurate descriptions of the constitutional Status of some of or defendent tentaries.

a)

British (Anguilla) Citizen

b)

British Colonial Citizen (Anguilla)

c)

British Colonial Citizen of Anguilla

We would not have entirely ruled out (a), but it is strongly opposed by the Home Office for the valid reasons that it is uncomfortably close to "British Citizen" and it would be taking a considerable

/administrative

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