TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 11

CONFIDENTIAL

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МКК 34011

RECEIVES › PEORY NO. 51

1 6 MAR 1981

DESK OFICER INDEX

مل

PA

£30.3.

RECISTRY Action Taken

PGO 30/3

MEETING BETWEEN THE HOME SECRETARY AND THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KÔNG” 11 MARCH 1981

138

Present:

The Rt Hon William Whitelaw CH MC MP Mr Timothy Raison MP

Mr P J Woodfield CB CBE

Mr M J Addison

HONG KONG: NEW NATIONALITY LEGISLATION

Sir Murray MacLehose GBE KCMG KCVO Mr D R Ford MVO OBE Mr R D Clift

See (139)

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[Before the meeting copies of an Aide Memoire prepared by the Hong Kong Government had been supplied to the Home Office]

see (127

+find

1. Mr Whitelaw said that he had been in contact with Lord Carrington and fully understood Hong Kong's concerns. He wanted to help as much as possible.

2.

135

Sir M MacLehose said that it should be possible to reconcile the Home Office's interest in avoiding an increase in immigration into the United Kingdom and the Hong Kong requirement to prevent any erosion of existing practices. The background was that Hong Kong had at an early stage expressed their concern about the proposed legislation. They had asked for the third category of citizenship for the Dependent Territories and when that was agreed took a relaxed view of the White Paper, but this was on the basis of assurances that the Bill would be neutral in its practical sense and a change in name only. However, when the Bill had been published, they had discovered some changes of practice. This had raised strong emotion in Hong Kong which had focussed again on nomenclature. People in Hong Kong now saw the Bill again as a fundamental attack on the relationship with the United Kingdom

an unpleasant feeling to have one's citizenship legislated away. Strong resentment was at present restricted to about 5 or 10% of the population but they were the most articulate and influential section, and at any time resentment could become general and have wider political implications. At present Unofficials were content that the Governor should try to get the Home Office to introduce amendments to the Bill to satisfy them. If he failed to do this there would be a strong and public reaction. This would be highly undesirable in itself and create difficulties for Lord Carrington who would be visiting Hong Kong at the end of March. The Governor would face major problems in terms of Civil Service morale and possible resignations from the Executive and Legislative Councils. He was acutely conscious of his personal responsibility. However, he thought that if action were taken on practical matters as quickly as possible it might be possible to allay Hong Kong's concern. There were three main areas. At present people in Hong Kong could obtain a UK passport after a period of residence here. Under the new legislation this would require naturalisation. This was an extra hurdle and moreoever the concept of naturalisation was repugnant to people who were actually British. It would be very helpful if they could simply be registered as British Citizens after 5 years' residence in the United Kingdom. The second matter concerned Crown Servants. This was not a matter of erosion of rights but a new point arising from the concepts of the Bill. Aliens

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