TNAG-0980-FCO40-1199-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 30

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CONFIDENTIAL

Morrice

Mr Williamson

133)

HKK 340/1

Reference...

HKK 340/1

RECEYLO IN RED

པ་

0 3 DEC 1980

NEW NATIONALITY LAW

IDE

PA

Aw keli

1.

During my visit to Hong Kong I discussed this with the Chief Secretary and the Secretary for-Security--- The matter also came up briefly at a meeting with the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO).

2.

Mr Davies, Secretary for Security, mentioned the letter of 20 October from the Chief Secretary to Mr Donald which raised a number of points on the White Paper. Some of these had been dealt with by correspondence but on others they had had no answer. They would be grateful for a reply covering the various points. They need in particular to be able to deal with enquiries from the Unofficials and others.

3.

Mr Davies stressed in particular the problem raised by the locally-recruited Administrative Officers. I said that there was no chance of these people being granted British citizenship under the new legislation and that I was sure that paragraph 70 of the White Paper would not be used for this purpose.

4.

At the meeting with UMELCO, particular interest was expressed in the timetable for the new legislation and there were references to reports from London that Home Office officials were urging Ministers to forego consultation in order to speed up the process. I undertook to find out what I could about the timetable.

ACTION

5. a)

ま

b)

Please prepare, in consultation with NTD, a draft reply to Sir J Cater's letter. This will obviously have to steer round the question of locally-engaged Administrative Officers, but we should cover as many of the other points as possible and, in particular, give whatever reassurances we can on the format of the future passport (paragraph 5 of the letter). We should also give an explanation on the question of British Citizens employed by the Hong Kong Government who are not members of HMOCS. (The Lord Privy Seal's letter to the Home Secretary of 1 December).

132

Please discuss with NTD a telegram to Hong Kong and other Dependent Territories giving advance warning of the publication of the new Bill. The Governor needs to be able to tell Unofficials in advance of publication. If anything can be said about the timetable for enactment it would be useful but I realise that it is probably still quite unclear. If possible guidance should also be included on the main points which are likely to be controversial, either where they differ from the White Paper or where Hong Kong or other territories have raised special questions.

CODE 18-77

2 December 1980

cc Mr Jones NTD

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

CONFIDENTIAL

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