TNAG-0979-FCO40-1198-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 113

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Mr Figg

HICK 3401 Ealin

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO

2 1 MAR 1980

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

tw

PA

/Rectrace

REG

[Action

26.3 Aw 24/3

commented to Mr. Jones

NEW NATIONALITY LAW: COLONIAL CITIZENSHIP ETC

See (3

1. At Mr Cortazzi's meeting with Mr Woodfield on 18 March all the

subjects listed in the letters exchanged between Mr Cortazzi and

Mr Woodfield were discussed. Mr Woodfield said that the Home

Secretary wished to publish a White Paper on nationality at the end of June or shortly afterwards (publicatly he has referred to publication in 'the summer'). The plan is to send a draft of the White Paper to the Home Secretary by the end of April. He will then wish to send it to the Home and Social Affairs Commi-

ttee, and subject to the views of the PM it may be discussed in

Cabinet. The Home Secretary wishes to have agreement with the FCO on all points in the White Paper before it is submitted to the Home and Social Affairs Committee. The meeting showed that there were no major disagreements between the Home Office and

the FCO on any of the outstanding points, and such points of

detail as remain to be settled all now rest with the Home Office. The single and major expapŝion is that of the different categories of citizenship and nomenclature.

2.

The major point of disagreement with the Home Office on

categories of citizenship/nomenclature turned on whether or not

there could be a common status of British Subject or some similar

title which would link the 3 separate citizenships into which

the present citizenship of UK and Colonies will be divided. It

was agreed that we would proceed by preparing an agreed background

position paper on the subject and that both departments would then

submit their respective advice to their own Ministers; and that

Mr Whitelaw would then meet either Lord Carrington or the LPS to resolve the question. There is considerable urgency if we are to

meet the deadline. It was agreed that we would not telegraph

Hong Kong until the main issue had been decided by Ministers.

3. Mr Lee in the Home Office and I are exchanging drafts of an

agreed position paper and expect to meet at the beginning of

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