TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 45

CONFIDENTIAL

TOP

Hive 340/1 ROENED IN ALMERY RO. 51

24 JUL 1981

DESK OFFICER INDEX

RECISTAY

PA

Action Taken

GPS 130

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 231041Z JUL 81

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 695 OF 23 JULY

مين

1002417

319

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON,

PEKING

FOR DONALD FROM ACTING GOVERNOR.

BRITISH NATIONALITY BILL.

See (320

1. NEWS OF THE PASSAGE IN THE LORDS OF THE NEW CLAUSE GIVING GIBRALTARIANS THE ENTITLEMENT TO REGISTER AS BRITISH CITIZENS HAS

CAUSED WIDESPREAD CONCERN AND SHARP REACTIONS HERE. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE MEDIA INTEREST.

2. THIS DEVELOPMENT CREATES A NEW SITUATION IN WHICH IT BECOMES EVEN MORE COMPELLING FOR THE "BRITISHNESS'' OF HONG KONG CBDT'S

TO BE PUT BEYOND DOUBT.

3. THE FULL UMELCO WILL BE MEETING AT NOON TOMORROW TO DISCUSS

THIS ISSUE. IT WOULD HELP PREVENT AN OUTBURST IF WE WERE IN A POSITION TO OFFER SOME POSITIVE AND AUTHORITATIVE INDICATION THAT SOME ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION WILL BE FOUND. WE SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ADVICE DESKBY 240100Z ON HMG'S INITIAL REACTION AND ON WHAT WE CAN TELL UMELCO.

CATER

LIMITED

HK GD

SED

NTD

MVD

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVT Office

PS

PS|LPS PS| MR RIDLEY PS/MR LUCE

SIRE YOUDE

MRDAY

MR DONALD

MR ADAMS

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 45Page 46