TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 189

7

Private Secretary

sofretary

SECRET

NEW NATIONALITY LEGISLATION:

SUMMARY OF SUBMISSION OF 18 FEBRUARY

Problem

1.

نها

رو

Secretary of State

HIGI

HIKO 340||

24 FEB 1981

DESK DENVER

INDEX

PA

4.

REGISTRY Action Taken

منان

8303.

Pas 3013

Line for officials to take with Home Office on 24 February

on Hong Kong's concerns on Nationality Bill.

Recommendation

2.

The recommended line is in the attached draft brief

agreed by Mr Blaker and Sir E Youde.

зда

53A

Background

3.

Since the Secretary of State and Mr Whitelaw saw Hong Kong

Unofficials at the beginning of February, the Governor has urged

that assurances should be sought to cover the problems both of

Crown Servants and Unofficials and all Hong Kong British Passport-

holders in general. He stresses the importance of doing this by

amendment to the Nationality Bill. He would prefer comprehensive

amendments to Schedule 1 to permit Hong Kong Crown Servants to apply

for naturalisation as British Subjects and also to improve the

prospects for naturalisation of Citizens of the British Dependent

Territories (CBDTs).

4.

The Home Office are concerned at the potential numbers

involved, even for Crown Servants. The Home Secretary, in his

78A reply to the Secretary of State, speaks of 'a massive potential

immigration commitment'.

5.

•

Because of the number of rival

lobbies on the

Nationality Bill and because Home Office and FCO Ministers

will have jointly to defend any proposed amendments against

critics from a number of quarters, it will be very difficult

SECRET

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