CONFIDENTIAL
DSR 11C
Citizens (the other two categories).
Following strong
representations from dependencies we have prevailed upon Home
Office officials to agree to recommend to their Ministers that
there should be a 3-category citizenship scheme so that each of
the categories mentioned in the preceding paragraph would have
title their own citizenship title. The for the non-
belongers" would be "British Overseas Citizens"
11
•
The title
for colonial belongers is one of the points in dispute.
NP.Though Hong Kong have made the strongest representations on
this subject there is no doubt that other dependencies are con-
cerned about possible reactions locally to any change. For
example, the Falkland Islands believe that they are a special
case and that they should have the same status as the people
of the UK; however, their numbers are small enough for them to
be reassured about their future by statements. Gibraltar too
think they are a special case as the only European dependency
and an associate member of the European Community; the
freedom-of-movement provisions of the EC from which
Gibraltarians benefit provides a measure of relief, but the
Governor thinks that the best he can hope for is to contain
of
criticism/the new nationality legislation with the help of good
advanced briefing and preparation. The Governor of Bermuda is
also apprehensive. All, except Hong Kong, have acquiesced in
a citizenship scheme and titles as outlined in paragraph l of
the draft telegram on the basis that the White Paper in which
it is expected to be announced this year will give an
opportunity to the dependencies to make representations if they
Hong Kong, however, are still reluctant to do so.
5. The Governor sees no change or minimum change in status
in Hoykoy and name as the best way of preserving confidence lees N
Ambassador in Peking believes that no change is preferable to
wish.
HM
CONFIDENTIAL
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