TNAG-0979-FCO40-1198-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 11

CONFIDENTIAL

DSR 11C

5.

the distinction between the categories and could cause

legal problems for the Government. He agreed, however,

to the Lord Privy Seal's suggestion that the relevant

sections of the White Paper should be drafted so as to

make clear that definite decisions had not been reached

on the nomenclature for the Dependent Territories and that

account would be taken of comments from the territories.

You may now wish to inform EXCO of the position,

stressing that Ministers have personally considered Hong

Kong's problems and the representations made to them by

EXCO members. They have put the Territory's case forcibl

to the Home Secretary. The result has been acceptance of

the third category, which has all along been Hong Kong's

priority, and agreement that a decision on nomenclature

will be left until after the White Paper stage, although

Lor sime

variant

'Citizen of British Dependent Territories' is a likely

option.

6.

The White Paper will be published before the

end of the current Parliamentary Session. 'We will send

you a copy for the confidential information of EXCO before

the publication date. Thereafter it will be open to the

to

Council and or other bodies and individuals in Hong Kong

to give their views to HMG.

CONFIDENTIAL

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