TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 77

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(iii)

(iv)

whether he still does now that the emphasis

is on preserving existing rights). ExCo's advice is that this should be put forward

but that it should not be a sticking point.

To some extent the amendment may be said to be mildly inconsistent with the vehement opposition to naturalisation which has been put up in the context of preserving the existing position with regard to the

right of abode in the UK on grounds of

residence (item (b) above). Paragraph 16 of the Aide Memoire attempts to rationalise this but the argument is admittedly not

very strong.

How strongly YE should push on this

amendment would necessarily depend on the

outcome of discussions on the other amend-

ments put forward.

Summary

3.

ExCo's advice is that the minimum package which would be acceptable to Hong Kong must include the following amendments,

by order of importance:

(a)(i)

(b)

(ii)

an entitlement to be registered as a

British citizen after five years' residence

in the UK without other requirements having

to be met (item (b)(i) in paragraph 2

above); or

as a fall-back, an entitlement to be registered as a British citizen after three years' residence in the UK, subject to other requirements being met (item (b)(iv) in paragraph 2 above);

provisions for naturalisation on grounds of Crown service (item (d) in paragraph 2

above); and