TNAG-0980-FCO40-1199-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 252

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HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: 18 JUNE

ESSENTIAL FACTS

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DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENSHIP (PARA 15)

The wording in the White Paper on Dependent Territories Citizenship

has been amended to indicate more clearly that the nomenclature is

open to further consideration. This is important politically to

the FCO in its relations with the Dependent Territories, in particu- lar Hong Kong, Gibraltar, Bermuda and the Falkland Islands.

A copy of the recent brief for the Lord Privy Seal outlining the FCO's

interests is annexed. The Home Secretary is strongly opposed to

the retention of the prefix 'British Subject' before the title, as the FCO had proposed, but his agreement to give the White Paper a more greenish' tinge in the matter of nomenclature will give the Dependent Territories concerned another opportunity to comment

before final decisions are taken.

1

'RELEVANT EMPLOYMENT' AND CROWN SERVANTS (PARAS 56-58)

It had been agreed with the Home Office that the children born overseas to Crown Servants would be British Citizens by birth. There has, however, been disagreement between the Home Office and the FCC and Department of Trade on the terms of a provision for other deserving groups (i.e. 'relevant employment', to include businessmer The Home Office wanted a transitional provision only. i.e. qualified

persons should be alive on the day the new law goes inte operation.

Their children born overseas would become British Citizens (by desc

The FCC and the Department of Trade wanted to see this as an ongoing

provision.

At the meeting between the Home Secretary and the Lord Privy Seal or S June, the Home Secretary appeared to concede. However, it was not clear exactly what he had in mind and he clouded the issue by suggesting that the provisions for businessmen and Crown Servants could be brought nearer together. The Home Office officials thereafter considered making the references in the White Paper to Crown Servants

and businessmen's children much vaguer whilst the matter was being resolved but at FCO insistence, they now intend to adhere to the

CONFIANTIAL

agreed