TNAG-0980-FCO40-1199-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 185

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CONFIDENTIAL ## 機密

EMBARGOED UNTIL 10. 30 p.m. HONG KONG TIME 30TH JULY

PRESS RELEASE

The British Government today (Wednesday) published a

White Paper on its nationality law, outlining its ideas on a new

scheme of citizenship.

The White Paper comes three years

after the publication of a Green Paper on the subject.

The present Nationality Act dates back to 1948 and it has

undergone so many amendments it has become cumbersome,

obscure and out of date. The British Government has concluded,

therefore, that a new law is necessary to reflect the many changes

in the structure of the Commonwealth over the past 31 years.

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The proposed legislation, according to a Hong Kong Government

spokesman, would not affect the UK immigration status of Hong Kong

The rules governing the entry of Hong Kong residents

residents.

* ii

+

to the United Kingdom and other countries would remain unchanged.

"And, it is important to note that constitutionally,

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Hong Kong remains the same," he said.

the position of

The White Paper on British Nationality Law proposes to

replace the 2-tier citizenship scheme suggested in the Green Paper

by a 3-tier citizenship scheme. Citizenship of the United Kingdom

and Colonies would disappear altogether and everyone holding it

when the new legislation comes into force would acquire a new

citizenship

*

Those who had close connections with the United Kingdom

would become "British Citizens";

Those with

CONFIDENTIAL #

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