TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 66

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Itish Dependent Territories.

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It also renewed the assurance

given by Her Majesty's Government that there would be no change in the relationship between British Dependent Terr- itories and the United Kingdom (WF 16) :-

5.

"16. The establishment of a separate citizenship for the British Dependent Territories would in no way alter the relationship between those territories and the United Kingdom, nor the Government's obligations and commitments to the dependent terr- itories and to their citizens."

The assurances given by H.M.G. in 1977 and in the White Paper in 1980 have been repeated, both privately and publicly, by Government officials and by Ministers of the Crown in London. It was

It was our clear understanding that any legislative measures arising from the White Paper which were designed to exclude us from the category of British Citizenship would in no way erode any of the existing rights of Hong Kong British subjects.

6.

At their recent meetings with the Foreign Secretary (the Rt. Hon. Lord Carrington) and the Home Secretary (the Rt. Hon. William Whitelaw) in London, on 2nd and 6th February 1981 respectively, the two Senior Unofficial Members of Executive and Legislative Councils were reassured that there was no intention to alter in any way the UK's relationship with Hong Kong. It was explained there had been insufficient time to study the Bill in Hong Kong and to assess its implications. The two Senior Unofficial Members said the Bill would be studied closely and expressed the hope that the door would not be closed to further re- presentations. The Home Secretary gave this assurance.

7.

An examination of the Bill identifies at least two specific areas where the rights of Hong Kong British subjects are directly and adversely affected by its provisions. These are enumerated below :-

(i) At present, a Hong Kong CUKC may

establish a right of abode in the United Kingdom by residing in the U.K. for a period of five years. Naturalisation is unnecessary.

(ii) Hong Kong British subjects at present termed Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies are to become Citizens of British Dependent Territories. Citizenship of the United Kingdom which is implicit in the former title is not reflected in the title Citizen of a British Dependent Territory.

These rights are not preserved in the Bill.

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