TNAG-0979-FCO40-1198-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 91

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference

41

Mr Jones (NTD)

NEW NATIONALITY LAW: FALKLAND ISLANDS

1.

40

HKK 340/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 0 8 APR 1980

BECK QFACER

REGISTRY

In your minute of 1 April to Mr lift (KGDĄ youctiansand for comments on the draft White Paper on the proposed new nationality

N

law.

2.

78.4

8/4

In general, it seems unexceptionable.We agree with your amendments, particularly those which make it clear that while colonial belongers may not have the right of abode here, many of them do have close links with the UK. As you know, this is particularly important if we are to convince the Falkland Islanders that we are not trying to downgrade their status.

3.

I have one specific amendment to propose, on para 106. For political reasons, the Falkland Islanders do not now and will not in the foreseeable future have the name of the colony stamped on or in their passports. The paragraph should either end after "such" in line 2 or should be amended to exclude the Falkland Islands from this general provision.

4.

I note what you say about the Home Office's reference throughout to "Citizens of the British Colonies" rather than "Dependencies". The Falkland Islanders would not object at all to the retention of the word "colony"

2 April 1980

CeBright

C C Bright

South America Department

cc: HKGD

M&CD

SPD

WIAD SED

CONFIDENTIAL