TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 202

CODE 18-77

RESTRICTED

Reference

File (88

11 KK

34p0|1

RECEIVED IN RAYETTE NO. 51

23 FEB 1981

DESK OFFICER

RES

Mr Morrice

Mr Williamson

INDEX

PA

N

430.3.

NEW NATIONALITY LEGISLATION : GIBRALTAR AND HONG KONG

Achon Teken

PCO 3013

1. Mr Martin in SED discussed with me the problem which his depart- ment faces in trying to discourage Gibraltarian demands for special treatment for that Territory in the context of the Nationality Bill, particularly for British Citizenship for Gibraltarians.

2. Amendments are likely to be tabled during the Committee stage suggesting such an arrangement for Gibraltar. SED consider that it would help to illustrate the impracticability of such a proposal if other MPs added to the amendment the names of other dependencies, in particular Hong Kong. The idea would be simply to show that the proposal could not be confined to Gibraltar. Mr Martin therefore asked whether we knew of any MP who might be willing to add the names of other territories to such an amendment.

3.

I said that I would consider this but I had some doubts about Hong Kong. The problem is that reasoned demands are being made on behalf of Hong Kong which we shall be discussing at official level with the Home Office next week. Some MPs will be supporting these ideas. It would be unfortunate if Hong Kong's credibility, already pretty rocky, were weakened by association with extreme ideas.

This

4. I suppose it might be possible to find somebody who would simply add to the amendment and all other Dependent Territories'. would not single out Hong Kong but might help to discredit the proposal. Would you please consider this and discuss further with Mr Martin.

20 February 1981

R D CLift

Hong Kong and General Department

cc

Mr Martin SED

Mr Paterson NTD

RESTRICTED