TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 213

Mr Morrice HGD

PS / Mr Blücher.

Mr Donald

es.

NEW NATIONALITY LEGISLATION

Problem

SECRET

Secutary of State

We sprice Sie E Haude

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Private Secretary HKK 340/1

PS/Mr Lee

PS/Mr BlaiD 14 SEMARY NO. 51 Sir E Youde 2 5 MAR 1981

Mr Adans

ESK OLMICER INDEX

Mr Jones N

مند

FA

REGISTRY Acton Taken

£30.3. Pao 30/3

for.

1. The Home Secretary has agreed to Lord Carrington's request fe

official talks on Hong Kong's main concerns over the draft Nationality

Bill. We need a line for FCO officials to take.

Recommendation

2. I recommend that officials be authorised to speak on the lines

of the attached draft brief.

Background

The Secretary of State saw Sir S Y Chung and Mr O V Cheung, senior

Hong Kong Unofficials, on 2 February. He minuted to the Home Secretary

A

(39 3.

B

52)

C

53A

on 5 February and Mr Whitelaw saw the Unofficials on 6 February.

4.

The point to which Lord Carrington drew Mr Whitelaw's attention

was the concern of locally-engaged Crown Servants in Hong Kong

(including Unofficials) that the new legislation would put them and

their dependents at risk in the event of a Chinese take-over of

Hong Kong. In practical terms their position would not be changed

but they fear that the change from Citizen of the United Kingdom and

Colonies to Citizen of the British Dependent Territories would lessen

their claim on the United Kingdom for a haven in case of a take-over.

Specifically, they are concerned at the wording of Schedule 1

Paragraph 1(3) of the draft Bill which would confine the right to

apply for naturalisation as British Citizens on the grounds of

Crown Service to Crown Servants 'under the Government of the

United Kingdom', ie those employed by Her Majesty's Government.

/Lord Carrington

SECRET