TNAG-1080-FCO40-1330-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 63

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Crown Service was indivisible.

There is no need to reply to

this point at this stage, though it may be necessary to do so

in the substantive reply to the petition.

6. It may nevertheless be helpful to explain the position.

During a visit to Hong Kong, Lord Shepherd met members of the

Senior Non-Expatriate Officers' Association (SNEOA).. He did

say that Crown Service was indivisible (ie between expatriate

and local members). However, although he was speaking during

the Communist disturbances and in relation to a possible collapse

of Hong Kong, he was not dealing with naturalisation or entry

to the United Kingdom. He was answering a question about pensions.

(See attached extract from minutes of the SNEOA's own discussion

of the conversation).

7.

Lord Shepherd was not briefed in advance on this topic.

He spoke off the cuff and made no reference to the discussion in

his report on the visit.

Nonetheless, the implications of what

he said cannot be totally ignored in the context of this petition.

He did not say that a haven would be provided for all Crown

Servants but he did suggest equality of treatment for locals and

expatriates in the present context this could be argued to apply

by extension to the right to come to the United Kingdom.

- 4 February 1981

cc PS/Mr Luce

Sir E Youde

Mr Adams

Mr Jones, NTD

Blin

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

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