TNAG-1080-FCO40-1330-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 47

SECRET

Bill does not affect their immigration status, it is not

merely an emotional reaction to see the legislation as

weakening their claims on HMG in a crisis.

7.

I fully realise the difficulties you would face if we

were talking of changes which would open the flood gates

to immigration from Hong Kong. The leaders of the community

in Hong Kong realise that HMG would have very serious problems if the Chinese took the Territory over. However, I

think there is a strong case for the provision of discretionary powers which the Home Secretary could use in an emergency, and hope you will agree that officials should meet soon

to look into this in more detail. Timothy Raison said in

the Second Reading Debate that the First Schedule of the

Bill, dealing with Naturalisation, would be looked at in

Committee. It would be a great boost to confidence if

Hong Kong's difficulties could be met in that context, either

by making Paragraph (3) of the Schedule less restrictive

or by an additional discretionary clause. We recognise of course that it would be necessary to ensure that any formulation in the Bill took account of the position not only of Hong Kong but of the other Dependent Territories as well, though these are all very small by comparison.

(CARRINGTON)

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

5/2/81

SFÖRFT