TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 27

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NATIONALITY BILL

:

FCO and Home Office officials should now consider amendments

to the Nationality Bill on the following lines which would be

compatible with UK concerns on immigration and Hong Kong's

concern about erosion of their existing position:

a) To give Dependent Territories' Citizens the right

to register as British Citizens after 5 years in the UK.

b) A provision giving the Home Secretary discretion 'in

the special circumstances of a particular case' to

treat persons who have rendered substantial service

under the Goverment of a

to the Crown a dependency as satisfying the

statutory requirements for naturalisation registration

or region

c) A provision to allow public service overseas to count

towards the residence requirement for naturalisation reg

after the person concerned has taken up residence in

the UK.

d) To allow easier access to British Citizenship for a

CBDT married to a British Citizen.