TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 114

289

Mihaising wintig og speech.

урите

NICK 340ll

HONG KONG: Sir Paul Bryan's Desired Assurances RECEIVED IN PYRO. 51

INDEX

1 8 JUN 1931

REGISTRY

Action Taken

DESK OFFICER

PA

Kefeds the

22;

I turn now to the assurances sought by my Hon. Friend- Howden on Hong Kong. It is the fact that nothing other Bill chun relationship and commitment of Her Majesty's Government to the people of Hong Kong. I gladly give that assurance.

See (457

Next I confirm that citizens of the British Dependent Territories will remai

United Kingdom nationals in the sense that the United Kingdom can afford consular protection and represent their interests internationally - both of

which of course we intend to continue to do.

Finally, as regards what they tell immigration authorities in third countries

the position is as follows. They will bear a passport which will on the cove have the words 'British Passport' and the name of 'Hong Kong'. Inside the citizenship description will probably be 'citizen of the British Dependent

Territories Hong Kong'. We shall of course tell other countries of our

new citizenship titles and those descriptions should cause no doubt or

difficulty to immigration officers in third countries. I should make the

point that my answers to him, apply with equal force to our other dependent

territories. It is I think important that I emphasise that.