TNAG-0980-FCO40-1199-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 242

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different types of citizenship, bringing them into

line with rights of entry and abode under the

Immigration Acts. In these circumstances, to apply

citizenship of the UK to persons resident in the

Dependent Territories would be inconsistent (the

use of the shortened formula 'Citizen of the United

Kingdom Colonies' would not be acceptable because it

could be confused with the earlier formula).

3. The Lord Privy Seal, at the Secretary of

met

State's request, attended a special meeting with

the Home Secretary on 9 June to discuss the

problem. Mr Whitelaw confirmed the Home Office's

agreement to the use of 3 categories of citizenship

rather than 2, thus making clear the spectal status

of the Dependent Territories as opposed to British

Overseas Citizens. The Lord Privy Seal then argued

Hong Kong's case strongly. He pointed out the depth

of concern in Hong Kong and the inter-relation of

this issue with others in Anglo/Hong Kong relations

He suggested that, in order to emphasise the

continuing link with Britain, the prefix 'British

Subject' should be retained in the title for

citizens of the Dependent Territories.

4. The Home Office were not prepared to agree to

the retention of 'British Subject'. Their legal

advice was that this would blur the distinction

between the categories and could cause legal

problems for the Government. It was agreed

however to adopt the Lord Privy Seal's further

suggestion that the relevant sections of the

White Paper should, be worded so as to make clear

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