TNAG-1083-FCO40-1333-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 59

CITIZENSHIPS AND THEIR DESCRIPTIONS PROPOSED IN THE BILL WOULD REMAIN UNAFFECTED, IT WOULD NOT CONFUSE THE ISSUE AS REGARDS WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK AND WHO DOES NOT. HOPEFULLY IT COULD N THEREFORE BE CLAIMED THAT IT STRUCK AT THE HEART OF THE BILL. 6. I KNOW IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT AN ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT PERMITTING HONG KONG (AND OTHER) CBDTS TO CARRY THE PREFIX BRITISH

NATIONAL' IN THEIR PASSPORTS MIGHT BE NEGOTIABLE WITH THE HOME OFFICE. CERTAINLY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SUCH A PREFIX BE USED, SINCE IT WOULD BE OF VALUE WITH IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES IN THIRD COUNTRIES. BUT THINGS HAVE NOW GONE TOO FAR FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT ALONE TO MEET THE POLITICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCERNS OF PEOPLE HERE. FURTHERMORE ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ARE ALL TOO LIABLE TO ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE. THE SENIOR MEMBERS OF UMELCO HAVE THEREFORE REPRESENTED FORCIBLY TO ME THAT THE RIGHT WAY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM IS AN ADDITIONAL CLAUSE IN THE BILL AS SUGGESTED.

I FEEL THEY ARE RIGHT IN LOCAL POLITICAL TERMS, AND THAT SINCE THE CLAUSE MERELY RE-STATES AN ACCEPTED FACT ABOUT WHICH THE BILL IS CAUSING CONFUSION AND CONCERN THEIR PROPOSAL IS A REASONABLE ONE, AND I STRONGLY SUPPORT IT.

7. I WOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHETHER THE S OF S FEELS ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS AND PUT IT TO THE HOME SECRETARY OR WHETHER HE SUGGESTS OTHER TACTICS OR SEES OVERRIDING OBJECTION.

8. I DID SUGGEST A COMPROMISE TO UMELCO WHEREBY WE COULD ARRANGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TO EMPHASISE THE CONFUSION CAUSED TO MANY CBDTS ABOUT THEIR NATIONALITY, AND THAT THE HOME SECRETARY COULD REPLY WITH ASSURANCES THAT

(A) CBDTS ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO BE BRITISH NATIONALS AND ENTITLED TO BRITISH PROTECTION ABROAD, AND

(B) THAT THEIR BRITISH NATIONALITY SHOULD BE RECORDED IN THEIR PASSPORTS.

9. THIS WOULD AVOID THE DIFFICULTY OF ACCEPTAING A FURTHER

AMENDMENT TO THE BILL. HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT MEET THE BASIC

OBJECTION THAT AS IT STANDS THE BILL IS UNBALANCED IN THAT IT

EMPHASISES CHANGES RELATING TO CITIZENSHIP WHILE FAILING TO REFER TO

CONTINUING COMMON BRITISH NATIONALITY.

MACLEHOSE

LIMITED

HRED (4)

NTD

PS

PS/LPS

PS/PUS

PS/MR BLAKER PSIMR LUCŵ

SIRE YOUDE

MR ADAMS

MR DONALD

COPIES

о

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE

2

CONFIDENTAL