TNAG-0943-FCO40-1162-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 292

SECRET

HK

Reference

REQUIVER

14 MAR 0-

Mr Chift

INDEX

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: NEW TERRITORIES LEASES

(12)

1.

No

سلام

зах

Please refer to your minute of 11 March to Mr Murray and Mr Cortazzi,

2. On your para 4:

a. I have already advised that this is possible;

b. Depends on the functions of the Commissioner;

c. This would be a major change, probably requiring the

sanction of an act of Parliament and a Treaty with China.

I see no analogy with the SBAS in Cyprus, which are still colonies, and have no information on the Panama Canal Zone;

d. Relinquishment of sovereignty would obviously affect the nationality of persons born in Hong Kong or otherwise belonging there. Special measures by Act of Parliament would be needed to determine who was to lose and who was to retain citizenship of the UK and colonies.

12 March 1980

cc: Mr Murray

Mr Cortazzi Mr McLaren

A.R.R.

A R Rushford Deputy Legal Adviser

PS My previous advice was in an opinion of 17 August 1978.

The Attorney-General of Hong Kong (then Mr Hobley) accepted this opinion as sound - paragraphs 1 and 2 of the note of conclusions dated 21 November 1978 refer.

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SS 8/78

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126 HKK CHoll

1978

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IMPTION M5 .27(a) (c) & (d)....