TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 73

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SECRET

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

registered as British citizens immediately,

and whether or not still married. (The

Bill requires naturalisation after 3 years'

UK residence).

The amendment covers husbands as well as

wives solely because of HMG's concern about

sexual equality. ExCo's object is to preserve the existing right of Hong Kong CUKC wives of British citizens.

Unofficials are insistent on this amendment

although they have given it lower priority

than amendments on the right of abode in the

UK (item (b) above) and on naturalisation

for Crown servants (item (d) below). It is

nevertheless a sticking point.

If quizzed on how one avoids marriages of

convenience, YE should not answer directly

but should argue that what we are seeking is purely a preservation of an existing right and that the amendment applies only

to CBDTs who have not caused problems to

HMG by being involved in marriages of

convenience.

(d) Crown Service

(Paras. 14-15 and Annex D of Aide Memoire)

(i)

(ii)

YE is already thoroughly familiar with the

arguments.

The proposed amendment consists of three

elements:

(1) an amendment to paragraph 1(1)(d)(ii)

of Schedule 1 to enable Crown servants

who have been naturalised to remain

in their posts in Hong Kong;

(2)

an amendment to paragraph 1(3) of

Schedule 1 to have Hong Kong Government