TNAG-0903-FCO40-1113-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 4

NATIOLALITY BICONFIDENT

1544

:

FOR NEW CITIZENSHIPS

1. It is assumed in this paper that the Citizenship of the

United Kingdom and Colonies will be replaced by three

the paper

citizenships; and the purpose of is to consider the name

of the one to be held by people who are connected with

existing colonies.

The Green Paper

2. The Green Paper contemplated that there would be only two citizenships, ie British Citizenship and British Overseas Citizenship. It mentioned the differing rights which holders of the latter citizenship would have according to whether or not they had a connection with an existing

colony, but made no suggestion of a separate colonial

citizenship.

Attitude of the Colonies: General

3. The possibility of establishing a separate citizenship for the Colonies rather than including the inhabitants in a British Overseas Citizenship with people connected with ex-

colonies, has been mentioned in confidence to Colonial

Governors and has met with general support.

Difficulty

has arisen, however, with Hong Kong, which not only has the

overwhelming majority of the people concerned, but also

has special problems. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office

view is that whatever solution is regarded as suitable for

Hong Kong will be such that other colonies will fall into