TNAG-1082-FCO40-1332-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 87

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segretar

Private Secretary

PS/LPS

cc:

PS/Mr Blaker

PS/Mr Ridley

Mr Adams

RESTRICTED COVERING CONFIDENTIAL

Searhary of Star

Hkgr

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Approved

HICK RHYL 340/1

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NTD HKGD

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30 MAR 100

DESK OFFICER

NEW NATIONALITY LEGISLATION: HONG KONG

INDEX

PA

Action Taken

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$30.3.

24 March

Ho

PC 314

1. Mr Luce has seen Mr Clift's submission thinks that, as the Home Office have accepted the three main points of anxiety put forward by Sir Murray MacLehose, the Secretary of State should now accept the recommendations in this submission. He will realise that the proposed Amendment to the Bill will apply to all Dependent Territories although originally conceived to meet particular anxieties from Hong Kong.

2. Timing is most important for two reasons. The new Clause should be tabled immediately so that the Secretary of State can give necessary assurances during his forthcoming visit to Hong Kong. It is intended that the new Clause should replace existing Clause 7 which could be reached in Standing Committee on Thursday 26 March, It is therefore very important that the new Clause should be tabled tomorrow (Wednesday) to enable us to give maximum possible warning to the Committee. The Committee's goodwill is essential.

3. Mr Luce has informed all Conservative Members of the Committee confidentially of the Amendments proposed and has given them a general explanation of the Government's approach to the Dependencies' problem in the Nationality Bill.

24 March 1981

Martin Rickerd

MJK Rickerd APS/Mr Luce

RESTRICTED COVERING CONFIDENTIAL