TNAG-0903-FCO40-1113-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 65

Mr Murray

APS/Secretary of State

HKK

RECEIVED IN E

7 NOV 1972

DESK 'OFFICER INDEX

PA

TRY

Action Taken

PAMA

My

"

NATIONALITY BILL: HONG KONG

•

1. In his minute of 2 November, the Assistant Private Secretary reported that, during the meeting between the Secretary of State and Sir Y K Kan, Lord Carrington promised that a further approach would be made to the Home Office to press Hong Kong's case for a suitable nomenclature for Hong Kong belongers to emphasise their connection with the United Kingdom.

2. It is to be hoped that the approach which has recently been made to the Home Office will result in a satisfactory solution to the problem. It rests with your letter of 23 October (copy attached) to Mr Woodfield, Deputy Under- Secretary at the Home Office, reporting the soundings by the Governor among the Unofficial Members of the Executive Council about an acceptable nomenclature. This letter served to brief Mr Woodfield who later that week visited

Hong Kong en route to Australia. He is due to return from this visit on 13 November, following which a meeting will be set up to consider the question further. NTD and HKGD do not believe that a Ministerial approach to the Home Office is required at this stage but this may be necessary in due course if officials are unable to agree on a multi-tier system of citizenship and a title for Colonial belongers.:

3. The timing of a Bill for the new nationality law is uncertain. In answer to a question in the House on 1

CONFIDENTIAL

/November

139