TNAG-0903-FCO40-1113-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 69

CONFIDENTIAL

HKK 340

RECEIVED BAGSTRY NO. 51

3 NOW (870

(૩૬

Mr Smedley, N&TD

OLSK DEPER

CISTRY

PA

on Taken

些

Nationality Bill: Hong-Kong

You will be receiving from Hong Kong and General Department the record of a meeting on 1 November between Lord Carrington and Sir Y K Kan of the Hong Kong Executive Council.

During the meeting, Sir Y K Kan stressed that the proposed new Nationality Bill could have a psychologically very damaging effect on Hong Kong. He said that it was essential that the nomenclature describing citizens of Hong Kong should emphasise their connection with the United Kingdom. Lord Carrington said that we had already taken this matter up with the Home Office. However, we would make a further approach to the Home Office to press Hong Kong's case. He told Sir Y K Kan thất he did not think publication of the Bill was imminent.

I should be grateful if you could institute a further. approach to the Home Office on this matter at whatever level you consider appropriate. Subject to your views, it is probably not necessary at this stage for Lord Carrington to write personally to the. Home Secretary. You will obviously wish to consult closely with Mr McLaren about this.

2 November 1979

ccs: PS PS/LPS PS/Mr Blaker

PS/Mr Luce

Mr Cortazzi

Mr Murray HK&GD

PA.

~ William sat

N

RMJLyn

(R MJ Lyne)

Discussed with N Goog, and thr durring. As Grey will explain to it tway that the next planned stage is a meeting with do Woodfield after his retor from Horz Koz

and Australia: this would seem to meet the Secretary Scoctions of state's requirement for "'n further "approach to the Home Office", and there is therefore no

no need for thinistivial intervention.

CONFIDENTIAL

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