8.
CONFIDENTIAL
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The Bill prescribes the naturalisation terms by which a CBDT may qualify for British Citizenship. This is a significant and adverse adjustment in our present relation-- ship with the United Kingdom; please see para. 7 (i) above.
9.
As commonly understood naturalisation is the process by which an alien acquires the citizenship of another state. Hong Kong's British subjects find themselves treated in the same way as aliens in this respect. We ask that the proposed naturalisation process by which a Hong Kong British subject may acquire a right of abode in the United Kingdom be abolished and that our existing rights as stated in paragraph 7 (i) be maintained.
10.
In prescribing the terms by which a dependent British subject may acquire a right of abode in the United Kingdom, due recognition of past and present Crown Service is important for the maintenance of loyalty and in recognition of service to British interests. It is also important to include provision for the recognition of service by Hong Kong British subjects who have significantly contributed to the economic and social development of this Territory. The terms of the Bill should be expanded to embrace service to the Government of a dependent territory and other eligible service.
11.
The Nationality Bill purports to tidy up the rules governing British Citizenship and the right to live in the U.K. It introduces a single class of British Citizenship but proposes a composite class, without any common right of abode, for Citizens of British Dependent Territories.
12.
Referring to the loss of CUKC status, as stated in para. 7 (ii), it is pertinent to place on record that there would not automatically be any change in CUKC status should Hong Kong cease to be British. But the continuance of British nationality is not provided for by the CBDT title. The CBDT category will in fact no longer have meaning when any one or all British dependencies cease to be dependent. CBDT residents of Hong Kong would thus cease to have a right of abode or entry anywhere and thus for practical purposes would become stateless.
In seeking a solution which will preserve Hong Kong's existing relationship with the United Kingdom, it is clear that Hong Kong is different from most other British dependencies since it does not have the option, however remote, of independence and self-determination. It is how- ever unique in the unpredictability and other characteristics of the only successor government.
13.
14.
The United Kingdom Government resists the concept of a composite BC class yet accepts the validity of a composite CBDT class. No explanation has been offered for this apparent illogicality.
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CONFIDENTIAL #2
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