TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 129

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inhabitants did not become British citizens. An amendment relating to the Falkland Islands was defeated by 15 votes to 3; one relating to Montserrat was defeated by 18 votes to 5; others relating to St Helena and dependencies and Pitcairn and dependencies were not moved.

In a separate debate on Gibraltar the Committee tied 12 all on an amendment which would have made Gibraltarians British citizens. The amendment was defeated by the Chairman's casting vote. All our supporters except one voted for us. In a further debate on Gibraltar at Commons Report stage a number of our supporters voted against us, but we held the line by a majority of 25.

Obviously I cannot predict what will happen during the Bill's remaining stages, but in the light of what has transpired so far I feel that we should continue to argue for the Bill's provision of a composite citizenship for all the dependent territories.

I am sending copies of this minute to the members of OD, and to Sir Robert Armstrong.

4

June 1981

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