TNAG-1080-FCO40-1330-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 139

2.

1. Mr Jebb Notudi diary 6628/1 Mon Cliff Hingo

in

Secretary of Stave Private Secretary

26

нкад

For brief pr. CONFIDENTIAL

I

Mr Donald

Mr. Williams

I will go.

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assume you with accor

minulé.

accompany them?

AKIC 340(l

Ruj

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 31

27% agrec

NEW NATIONALITY LEGISLATION: SEE TO LONDON BY HONG KONG UNOFFICIALS

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

REGISTRY

Action TJken

are

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dusty brief

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Problem

1.

Sir S Y Chung (Senior Unofficial Member of the Hong Kong

UNOTI

Executive Council) and Mr O V Cheung are calling on the Home

Secretary next week to put their view on the draft Nationality Bill.

How should they be received in the FCO?

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that the Secretary of State should receive the

visitors on 2 February at 10.00 am (provisionally earmarked).

Background and Argument

3.

As the Secretary of State is aware, Unofficial Members of

the Hong Kong Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) have

been concerned at the likely effect of the new nationality legis-

lation since the first proposals were put forward. They see the

move as part of a trend of distancing Hong Kong from the United

Kingdom, and as underlining the restrictions on immigration

since 1962. At a meeting on 23 January, UMELCO Members expressed

their 'dismay and suspicion' to the Governor.

4.

Members of the Anglo-Hong Kong Parliamentary Group have

given considerable support to the Hong Kong case. Sir Paul Bryan,

Chairman of the Group, is arranging for Sir S Y Chung and

Mr O V Cheung to see the Home Secretary, probably on 6 February.

5.

It would be normal for an FCO Minister to receive visitors

of this level, particularly the Senior Unofficial.

On this

CONFIDENTIAL

/occasion