TNAG-0980-FCO40-1199-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 236

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CONFIDENTIAL

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NEW NATIONALITY LAW HONG KONG

23/

H.KK 340

WED

4 JUN 1980

DISK OFFICER

INDEX

No

after

PA

TAMR

68

NO. 51

REGISTRY Action Take

ISSION

1. I attach a copy of a personal letter which, with you and NTD, I have written to the Governor of Hong Kong. We owe him a report on the situation in order to reassure him that the representations which have been made on behalf of Hong Kong have been looked at seriously.

2.

While the letter tells the Governor about the Lord Privy Seal's meeting with the Home Secretary, it also makes clear that this is only for his personal information and he will not be able to tell the Executive Council any details of the discussions between Cabinet Ministers.

3.

At the same time we will need to authorise the Governor, once the White Paper is finally cleared, to reassure the Executive Council that FCO Ministers have put Hong Kong's case to the Home Secretary. It is politically important for the Governor, in his relations with the Unofficial Members on the Council, to be able to do this.

4.

As the letter makes clear, I have told the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong, Sir Jack Cater, and the Secretary for Security, Mr Davies (who is responsible for nationality questions) the general position.

5. I would be grateful if NTD would inform the Home Office that we have sent a strictly personal letter to the Governor bringing him up-to-date on the situation but not at this stage authorising him to speak to the Executive Council.

20 June 1980

Dip

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

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PS/LPS

PS/Mr Luce Mr Donald

Mr Jones NTD

CONFIDENTIAL