CONFIDENTIAL
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 29 MARCH TO 1 APRIL 1981
BRIEF NO 20: DISCUSSIONS WITH UMELCO :
POINTS TO MAKE
HONG KONG'S CONCERNS
1.
NATIONALITY BILL
Consultation over long period to explain purpose of Bill.
No intention of distancing Hong Kong from UK, Purpose of Bill to
update nationality law over wide field bringing citizenship into
line with right of abode. Reaffirm commitment to Hong Kong..
PROPOSED CHANGES FOR HONG KONG AND OTHER DEPENDENCIES
2.
Governor and representatives of Unofficials strongly
represented Hong Kong's practical concerns to Lord Carrington
Two main areas. Glad to say both have been
and Home Secretary.
covered in proposed new clause put to Parliament:
3.
a) CBDTS living in the UK for 5 years will have right
to acquire British citizenship (as at present though
with formality of registration added) instead of
having to apply for naturalisation.
b) Home Secretary will have discretion to register as a
British Citizen a person who has at any time been in
Crown Service under the Government of a dependency
or who has been appointed by or on behalf of the Crown
to certain forms of service in a dependency.
Text is available. Believe it fully meets Hong Kong's
Government will explain to Parliament that (b)
essential points.
applies to all dependencies. Not addressed to particular situations.
Not automatic.
Crown Servants.
Discretion will be used very sparingly as for other
Removal of sense of discrimination should be welcome.
CONFIDENTIAL
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