TNAG-0979-FCO40-1198-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 187

DSR 11 (Revised)

CONFIDENTIAL

WORKING PAPER

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FROM:

DEPARTMENT:

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

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TYPE: Draft/Final 1+

Reference

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A

PRIVACY MARKING

SUBJECT: BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW

(Working Paper for

meeting)

.....In Confidence

CAVEAT.

HK. TEL NO

B

PEKING TEL NO....

Enclosures-flag(s)...........

Background

1. The Home Office having accepted, at official level,

the reagest of the Governor, Hong Kong, that there should

request

be a third category of citizenship under the new legis-

lation, to cover dependent territories belongers, there is

still dispute over the title for this group. Hong Kong,

supported by Peking, argue for the retention of the

present title Citizen of the United Kingdom and

Colonies (CUKC). They forecast a serious blow to

-confidence in Hong Kong from a change and a consequent

risk of misunderstanding with Peking. The Home Office

oppose the use of CUKC for any category, arguing that it would be inconsistent with the aim of the legislation,

which is to make the legal definition of citizenship

unambiguously consisten with the rights of abode and entry

of the various persons concerned.

2.

A number of alternative titles have been suggested.

Hong Kong's preference (after CUKC) is 'British Subject: Hong Kong Citizen. However Peking have pointed out the disadvantages of any designation which suggests the

establishment of a separate citizenship of Hong Kong.

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