TNAG-0979-FCO40-1198-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 98

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Redraft of paras. 18-21

DSR 11C

In 1962 the Government found it necessary to control the entry into the UK of citizens of independent Commonwealth countries and citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies from dependent territories; and in 1968 other citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who were not closely connected with the United Kingdom were made subject to control. It is unrealistic to suggest that those citizens of the United

Kingdom and Colonies who are now subject to immigration control should become British Citizens with a right of abode here. Those amongst them who are connected with a dependency generally have a right of entry to the dependency; and most of those who do not have a right of entry to the United Kingdom or a dependency are well established in their countries of

residence and hold a nationality of those countries. То extend British citizenship to the latter would mean conferr-

ing the right of entry to this country on an estimated

1,200,000 people mostly concentrated in Malaysia, Singapore and India, most of whom have another citizenship and have

no close connection with the United Kingdom. Our immigration commitment if these were given British citizenship would not

be limited even to this number; There would be/unknown number

of children and other dependents who are not British but who

would be entitled to entry into the UK with them under the Immigration Rules.

an

However, the government recognise the special position of the

United Kingdom passport holders from East Africa, and have

undertaken to continue the special voucher scheme for them.

The essence of this scheme is that they will be able to come

to this country at a controlled rate. By the time the new

nationality legislation is brought into operation many of

those now waiting for special vouchers will have received

them and will have settled in this country. They will thus be eligible to become British citizens under the arrangements proposed in para [34] below.

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