TNAG-0979-FCO40-1198-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 34

CONFIDENTIAL

19. One small group of persons on whom the Government do not think it right to confer British Citizenship as a whole are those formerly stateless

persons who have been registered as CUKCs under the British Nationality (No 2) Act 1964 because their mothers are Citizens of the United Kingdom and

Colonies. Many of these mothers will, because of their connection with a

colony or former colony, acquire Citizenship of the British Dependent

Territories or British Overseas Citizenship, and it seems right therefore that

these people, most of whom are children, should acquire the same citizenship

as their mothers do.

20.

The Government do not think it is practicable to suggest, as some

correspondents have, that all present Citizens of the United Kingdom and

Colonies should become British Citizens with the right of abode here. In

1962 the Government found it necessary to control the entry into the

United Kingdom of Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies from dependent

territories, as well as citizens of independent Commonwealth countries; and

in 1968 other Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who were not closely

connected with the United Kingdom were made subject to immigration control.

Those Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who are connected with a

dependency generally have a right of entry to that dependency; and most of

those who do not have the right of entry to the United Kingdom or a dependency

are well established in their country of residence, and many hold the

nationality of those countries.

21. It is worth emphasising that these proposals would affect only those

people who at the time of coming into force of the new legislation are

Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. There are of course many citizens of independent Commonwealth and foreign countries who are settled in the

United Kingdom, that is to say, being ordinarily resident without being subject

under the immigration laws to any restriction on the period for which they may

remain; but if they hold only a Commonwealth or foreign citizenship there

would be no question of conferring our citizenship on them: they are not our

nationals and many of them may not wish to become British Citizens. The Bill

will not affect adversely their position under the immigration law.

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22. With the exception referred to in paragraph 19 no one who is at present patrial (i.e. who enjoys the right of abode in this country under

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