TNAG-0980-FCO40-1199-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 214

CONFIDENTIAL

emphasise certain points, most of which are already in the

which

draft statement but would make a bigger impact if pooled

together. What I have in mind is a piece covering briefly

the following points:

(a) the need for a new Act:

(b)

(c)

(d)

universal agreement in the UK. including the main

political parties, on the need for a separate citizen-

ship for the UK (the underlined words would be useful

overseas);

individual groups not adversely affected (new citizen-

ship would incorporate immigrants who have taken our

present citizenship; all CUKCs will get at least one

righte citizenship; Commonwealth patrials preserved; these

lawfully resident in the UK not affected, Special

Voucher scheme maintained and entry of close dependents

of those settled here not affected);

so there is nothing in the proposals to alarm or disturb

the Commonwealth and the dependencies.

Give re-

assurance to the dependencies;

(e)

so there will be no overnight transformation, but some

immediate benefits and we shall move increasingly to

the ultimate objective;

·

(f) explain why British Overseas Citizen category (and

other special categories maintained) in preference to alfernative

extremes suggested by others:

(g) having established a separate citizenship for the UK

5.

it will be necessary to ensure that in future it is

acquired only by those who have a genuine close connection

with the UK.

We think a piece covering these points can be done

fairly briefly and omitting references to particular

CONFIDENTIAT

/provisions