TNAG-1080-FCO40-1330-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 51

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6.

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The best form would probably be composite:

a) an assurance to senior civil servants in the reply to

the petition;

b) a confidential statement to the Unofficials, either by

the Governor, or possibly by the Secretary of State when he visits the Territory;

c) a statement by Ministers, either in the Nationality Bill context or in answer to an inspired PQ giving a general undertaking to Dependent Territories on the lines suggested in paragraph 5 of the paper.

Conclusions

7.

8.

We should aim at:

a) achieving amendments to the Bill in order of preference

in paragraph 3;

b) as a fall-back, an assurance to public servants.

If the Home Secretary agrees to talks between officials, we should use the agreed priorities as a brief.

9.

If he does not, we should recommend that Lord Carrington write again to the Home Secretary expanding on our case and in the first place putting our ideas on amendments to the Bill in more detail.

5 February 1981

Дир

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

сс

PS/Mr Luce

Mr Rushford, Legal Advisers

Mr Adams

Mr Jones, NTD

Mr Paterson, NTD

This is a

useful note

ou

I

afree

that it should

the options.

be the paper for discussion among Fro

officials, for the preparation of

h

we meet

Submission to Muisters. Might eady next week under your Charismanship?

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Artmald

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