TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 102

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CONFIDENTIAL

GPS

250

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO 11151JZ JUNE 81

TO PRIORITY HONG KONG (FOR GOVERNOR)

TELEGRAM NUMBER 542 OF 15 JUNE

YOUR TEL NO 549: NATIONALITY BILL

TOP CORY

14619

2

AKK 34011

RECENTED IN #EY B. 51 1 8 JUN 1981

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

مان

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

LA

P602017

1. IT IS TRUE THAT NEW CLAUSE 1 LEAVES BRITISH CITIZENSLLIVING

IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES IN A BETTER POSITION THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS

LIVING IN COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES.

THIS IS RECOGNISED AS AN ANOMALY BUT IT IS ONE THAT HAS EXISTED

FOR MANY YEARS. YOU WILL SEE FROM WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN

COMMITTEE AND FROM OTHER NEN CLAUSES AND AMENDMENTS THAT WERE

PROPOSED AT REPORT FROM NON-GOVERNMENT SOURCES THAT THE GOVERNMENT

HAS FACED STRONG DEMANDS ESPECIALLY FROM ITS OWN SUPPORTERS

FOR MUCH MORE FAR-REACHING CONTINUING PROVISIONS TO BENEFIT

BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. THE GOVERNMENT'S

NEW CLAUSE 1 IS A MODEST CONCESSION TO THOSE VIEWS. IT REFLECTS THE DIFFICULTY OF DEALING WITH CLAIMS FOR CONTINUTION OF AN

EXISTING PRIVILEGED POSITION IN OUR OUT OF DATE LAW WHEN THE

BASIS FOR THE POSITION NO LONGER EXISTS. MINISTERS CAME UNDER

RENEWED PRESSURE IN THE 3RD READING FROM THE LOBBY FOR BRITISH

COMMUNITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES (MAINLY EUROPE-BASED) AND

MR RAISON SAID THAT HE WOULD LOOK AT THE QUESTION AGAIN WHILE

MAKING SO FIRM COMMITMENT. WE HAVE SENT YOUR TELEGRAM TO THE

HOME OFFICE AND ARE DISCUSSING IT WITH THEM.

3. ON THE POINT IN YOUR PARA 4 A PERSON WHO WAS A CUKC WITH THE

RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK BEFORE COMMENCEMENT SOLELY BY VIRTUE

OF 5 YEARS ORDINARY RESIDENCE IN THE UK IS A BRITISH CITIZEN

OTHERWISE THAN BY DESCENT.

CARRINGTON

LIMITED

HKGD

NTD

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

COPIES TO :

MVD

MR E YOUDE

HKGO LDN

PS

MR DONALD

PS/LPS

MR ADAMS

CONFIDENTIAL

سے

לועדו

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