TNAG-1030-FCO40-1280-Proposed-visit-by-Humphrey-Atkins--Lord-Privy-Seal--to-Hong--1981 — Page 65

CONFIDENTIAL

NATIONALITY ACT : ESSENTIAL FACTS

1. Hong Kong never liked the proposals for a separate citizenship

for those connected with the UK itself in the original Labour

Government's Green Paper and adopted by the present Government.

They would have much preferred no change from unitary citizenship

of UK and Colonies. Several changes to suit Hong Kong were agreed,

eg, additional category for British Dependent Territories Citizens

(BDTC's), entitlement to registration of BDTC as British Citizen

instead of naturalisation which would be discretionary.

2. Hong Kong saw proposals as attempt to distance Hong Kong from

UK. At the same time Home Office saw Hong Kong's proposals as

attempt to frustrate aim of separate citizenship for those closely

connected with the UK itself.

3.

In

In last stages of Bill in Lords, Hong Kong particularly anxious

to have statement in Act that BDTC's were British Nationals. HMG

firmly opposed because it would confuse. UMELCO particularly

annoyed that we advised them not to lobby for this amendment.

view of its narrow defeat in the Lords, they feel that if they had

lobbied it would have been passed. But if it had, HMG would have

tried to have it rejected by Commons. This would have further

damaged relations with Hong Kong to no purpose. Also upset by

acceptance by HMG of Gibraltar amendment. They believed HMG would

oppose it.

4. Passing of Act has led UMELCO to ask how much it can expect from

HMG in a crisis. Minister will wish to find out from Governor and

officials how UMELCO now feel before he meets them.

Hong Kong and General Department

December 1981

CONFIDENTIAL

1