TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 190

Mr Jones, NTD

HONG KONG:

CONFIDENTIAL

NATIONALITY BILL

Reference..

HICK 340/1

RECUVID

14 MAY 1981

INDEX

2JJ

PA

ما

$185.

Po 18/0

1. You will have seen Mr Whitelaw's negative response to the Secretary of State's minute of 4 May and also Hong Kong Telegram Numbers 494 and 495

247A

2.

256

These have been discussed by our respective Under-Secretaries and I attach a submission, a further minute from Lord Carrington to the Home Secretary and a telegram to Hong Kong, all in draft. I assume that NTD will oppose our pursuing the fall back position with the Home Office and perhaps you could suggest an additional paragraph to the submission setting out your views.

3. I should be grateful if you could also provide a sentence on timing. From Hong Kong's point of view, the sooner something is said in the House the better but there may be factors of which I am unaware. I suggest that the two Secretaries of State might discuss timing on the telephone, but you may consider that this is unnecessary, particularly if it is preferable for us simply to leave timing to Mr Whitelaw.

4. Mr Donald would like to get the submission to Sir E Youde as early as possible tomorrow morning, and I should be grateful for your comments either tonight or first thing tomorrow.

13 May 1981

F. Morrice

P Morrice

Hong Kong and General Department

من

Bu yuh noted Par f14.5

Ви

CODE 18-77

CONFIDENTIAL

258