TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 76

(e)

SECRET

7

(3) For law drafting reasons, however, it

seems to have been necessary in the

(4)

(5)

(6)

1981 Bill to draw a distinction between "Crown service under the government of

the UK" and other Crown service.

Combined with (3) above, the division of the present unitary CUKC means that those CUKCs who are serving the Crown under the governments of the dependent territories and who will become CBDTs

will have to seek naturalisation if they wish to become British citizens. The effect of the Bill as it stands is.

that CBDTs serving under the governments of the dependencies would not be able to apply for naturalisation by virtue of their service to the Crown, while

aliens serving outside the UK but under the government of the UK would be

able to do so.

It has been strongly represented to the Government that this does not accurately reflect the constitutional position of the dependent territories and the Government is impressed with these arguments.

Priority of Naturalisation

(Para. 16 and Annex E of Aide Memoire)

(i)

(ii)

I

The purpose of this amendment is to secure a measure of priority for CBDTs vis a vis aliens in being granted naturalisation as British Citizens, especially for those who

have contributed to the economic and

social development of Hong Kong.

This is a point on which Sir S.Y. Chung felt strongly (although it is not clear