TNAG-1080-FCO40-1330-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 25

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Sir ETRECEIVED IN REPASTRY NO. 51

16 FEB 1981

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REGISTRY

INDEX

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Action Taken

NATIONALITY BILL: HONG KONG: PETITION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Problem

1.

The locally-engaged members of the Hong Kong Administrative

Service have petitioned the Secretary of State concerning the Nationality Bill (Hong Kong Telegram No 95). The Governor has

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asked for instructions on how to speak at a meeting with the

petitioners (Hong Kong Telegram No 94).

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that the Governor be authorised to speak on the

lines of the attached draft telegram.

NTD agree.

Background

3.

The argument in the petition is the same as the point which

Sir S Y Chung and Mr OV Cheung made to Lord Carrington on

2 February: the need for HMG to meet their obligation towards

local officers (and Unofficials) from Hong Kong with a possible

Chinese takeover in mind. The Home Secretary saw the two Unofficials on 6 February. He expressed understanding and a

readiness to consider how to meet Hong Kong's problem while

pointing out the difficulties of concessions which might extend

to other groups.

Argument

4.

We cannot give a substantive reply to the petition until we

have gone further in discussions with the Home Office following

the Secretary of State's letter to the Home Secretary. It would,

however, be helpful for the Governor to tell local Administrative

Service members how matters stand. He could assure them of the

Secretary of State's sympathy and of Mr Whitelaw's understanding

but would still have to avoid any commitment as to how a solution

can be found.

5.

Lord Shepherd's undertaking. Reference is made in the

penultimate paragraph of the petition to an assurance given in

/October 1967

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