TNAG-1083-FCO40-1333-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 94

CONFIDENTIAL

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I agree with you that a separate citizenship for Gibraltar would not totally appease the protestors there who really want British citizenship. But they have said that they want a separate citizenship for Gibraltar and have let that be known amongst Members of Parliament.

It now seems clear that this debate on individual citizenship will come up on clause 13 which would be taken late this Thursday, 9 or, at the latest, Tuesday 14 April. I think we must therefore immediately clear our lines as to whether, as a last resort, we will be prepared to look again at all this at Report Stage without commitment. This would mean working on a Contingency Enabling Clause straightaway. Final decisions could be taken later.

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