TNAG-1080-FCO40-1330-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 10

GRS 1000

SECRET

TOP CORAL

SECRET

RECEIVED

HKK

RY NO. 51

1 1 FEB 1981

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

fas 11

FM HONG KONG 101030Z FEBRUARY 81

TO IMMEDIATE F C O

TELEGRAM NUMBER 129 OF 10 FEBRUARY

INFO PRIORITY PEKING HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON

FOR YOUDE

FROM GOVERNOR

70)+

YOUR TELEGRAM 121

·3

See

ין

See (TAA

टी

NEW NATIONALITY LEGISLATION

THIS ADVICE IS VERY HELPFUL. I HAVE HAD A PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION WITH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THOUGH UNOFFICIALS ARE NATURALLY AWAITING THE RETURN OF SIR S Y CHUNG AND MR O V CHEUNG BEFORE COMING TO FIRM CONCLUSIONS ON THE MAJOR ISSUES AND THE TACTICS AND AMENDMENTS WHICH THEY WILL WISH TO PURSUE. (THEY WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSING THESE WITH MESSRS LYONS AND WHITNEY DURING THEIR VISIT OVER THE WEEKEND.

2. MY MAIN CONCERN CONTINUES TO CENTRE ROUND THE CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION AND CROWN SERVICE. THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS HAVE BEEN LARGELY DRAFTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. WHILE I

REALISE THE DIFFICULTY OF MEETING HIS PROPOSALS, NEVERTHELESS IT IS JUST AS WELL TO START WITH A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT APPEARS NECESSARY IF H K'S REASONABLE REQUIREMENTS ARE TO BE MET. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FURTHER COMMENTS.

CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION

62

3. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVISED THAT THEY PREFER MINISTERS TO

BE BRIEFED ON THE LINES OF PARAGRAPH 4 OF MY TELEGRAM 122. IF THESE ARE INSUFFICIENT TO CONVINCE, WE ACCEPT THAT THE ARGUMENTS IN PARA 3 OF YOUR TEL 103 WILL HAVE TO BE USED, BUT

WE HOPE THIS CAN BE AVOIDED.

STA

SECRE

/CROWN AND

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