TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 112

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British Nationality Bill

2 JUNE 1981

Mr. Whitelaw: In my time in public life I have heard a great many arguments that a special case can be made which is not really a special case and that it will have no effect on the principle or associated problems. I do not accept that a special case can be made for Gibraltar without the consequences in relation to Hong Kong that I have outlined. That is why I oppose making a special case.

Mr. Amery: Will my right hon. Friend take the debate seriously? Two points that have been raised are that Gibraltar is part of the European Community and that as a fortress it can never become independent. Will my right hon. Friend address himself to those matters?

Mr. Whitelaw: I hope that my right hon. Friend is not suggesting that I do not take the debate seriously. I do, most certainly. I have made it clear why I do not believe that I could conceivably allow the House to accept the new clause, with the consequences that I believe would ensue. I understand the arguments put by my right hon. Friend and other hon. Members for making Gibraltar a special case. I do not believe, however, in the context of the Bill, that a special case can be conceded without consequences for Hong Kong that I cannot recommend the House to accept. That is the burden of my case. On that basis, I must ask the House to reject the clause.

Question put, That the Clause be read a Second time. The House divided: Ayes 248, Noes 273. Division No. 197]

Abse, Leo

Adamė, Alicet

[11.57 pm

AYES

Cunningham. G. Welingten 9)

British Nationality Bill

Fry, Peter Garrett, John (Norwich S) George, Bruce

Gilbert, Rt Hon Dr John Ginsburg, David Gourlay, Harry Graham, Ted

Grant, George (Morpeth) Grant, John (Islington C) Hamilton, James (Bothwell) Hamilton, W. W. (C'tral Fife) Harrison, Rt Hon Walter Hart, Rt Hon Dame Judith Hattersley, Rt Hon Roy Haynes, Frank Healey, Rt Hon Denis Heffer, Eric S.

Hogg, N. (E Dunb't'nshire) Holland, S. (L'b'th, Vauxh'll) Home Robertson, John Hooley, Frank Horam, John Howell, Rt Hon D. Howells, Geraint Huckfield, Les

Hudson Davies, Gwilym E. Hughes, Mark (Durham)

896

Morris, Rt Hon J. (Aberavon Morton, George Moyle, Rt Hon Roland Oakes, Rt Hon Gordon O'Halloran, Michael O'Neill, Martin

Orme, Rt Hon Stanley Palmer, Arthur Parker, John Parry, Robert

Penhaligon, David

Powell, Rt Hon J.E. (S Down Powell, Raymond (Ogmore) Prescott, John Race, Reg

Radice, Giles

Rees, Rt Hon M (Leeds S) Rees-Davies, W. R. Richardson, Jo

Roberts, Albert (Normanton Roberts, Allan (Bootle) Roberts, Ernest (Hackney NJ Roberts, Gwilym (Cannock} Robinson, G. (Coventry NW) Rooker, J. W.

Ross, Ernest (Dundee West) Ross, Stephen (Isle of Wight

Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) Ross, Wm. (Londonderry)

Hughes, Roy (Newport)

Janner, Hon Greville Jay, Rt Hon Douglas Johnson, James (Hull West) Johnson, Walter (Derby S). Johnston, Russell (Inverness) Jones, Barry (East Flint) Jones, Dan (Burnley)

Rowlands, Ted Ryman, John Sever, John Sheerman, Barry Sheldon, Rt Hon R. Shore, Rt Hon Peter Short, Mrs Renée Sükin, Rt Hon d. (Deptford)