TNAG-1083-FCO40-1333-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 27

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Secretary of State

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Mr Rushford, Legal Advisers

HONG KONG: NATIONALITY BILL

1. I do not object to the recommended approach to the Home Secretary to show that we are putting Hong Kong's anxieties as forcefully as possible to him.

2. However, as the Foreign Office Minister in the front line on this Bill, I must say this.

3. Given that we have this Bill, I think we have been right to fight for the best deal for the Dependencies. It is a containment exercise since consequences must flow from the creation for the first time of a British Citizenship linked to a right of abode. The consequence of this is that the Dependencies have to adjust their nomenclature. It is a problem of cosmetics and the creation of an impression false one of a weakening of ties.

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4. It has been our aim therefore to do our utmost to contain their anxieties and to help the Dependencies wherever possible.

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5. Throughout the debates I have had to defend the difficult argument that Hong Kong is the most important of our Colonies and that we must do nothing to upset them. For the sake of Hong Kong we have put through two amendments which were essential but not easy to defend. For the sake of Hong Kong we have succeeded, against considerable opposition on both sides, in opposing the concept of individual citizenships. For the sake of Hong Kong we have defeated another amendment, on the casting vote of the chairman, to enable Gibraltarians to become British citizens and we have resisted other changes in Dependency citizenship for the same reasons.

6. I really do therefore find it hard to accept that it is not possible for us to hold the line vigorously now on Hong Kong. I am bound to feel very irritated by the latest demand which no doubt we will again be told is the last.

7.

Moreover there are already difficulties in Committee about the real definition of the term ''UK National' and what this means in fact. The NTD note highlights this problem.

8.

If there is room for some further compromise which is acceptable to the Home Office and ourselves and which is fair to all the Dependencies then that is fine, By all means let us try with the Home Office.

9. But I do think it is important to be aware of the Parliamentary problem as I see it after some 105 hours of debate.

1 May 1981

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Richard Luce

CONFIDENTIAL