TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 244

SECRET

-2-

C

back door to British Citizenship but we must get as good a deal as possible for Hong Kong. We shall submit shortly recommending a line for discussion with the Home Office.

Parliament

6. The Second Reading Debate on 4 February went well for Hong Kong. The Home Secretary made a specific reference to links with Hong Kong. Sir P Bryan put their case. Mr Raison, to whom Mr Blaker spoke before the Debate, undertook to consider a number of points. (See Hansard extracts attached). The Committee considering the Bill started work on 9 February. There is a very large number of amendments and work may take at least 2 months. Two members of the Committee,

Mr Ray Whitney (Conservative) and Mr Edward Lyons (Labour),

have gone to Hong Kong to familiarise themselves with the Territory's problems.

12 February 1981

RD CLift

Hong Kong and General Department

сс

PS/Mr Luce

PS/PUS

Sir E Youde

Mr Adams

Mr Donald NTD

SECRET

BARG

13/2