TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 57

CONFIDENTIAL

the intention of opposing the Gibraltar amendment. A clear statement of the Government's intentions before the debate could

help them win the amendment. But if they lose the amendment the Government could if at all possible indicate immediately that they intend to reverse the amendment in October. If the Government's position is uncertain throughout the summer recess Hong Kong and General Department believe this would have a very serious effect on our relations with Hong Kong at a very difficult time, and there is no doubt that several other dependencies would press the Government to introduce amendments giving them the same treatment as Gibraltar. It would be extremely difficult to produce convincing arguments to resist these claims, yet to concede them would destroy a major feature of the Bill which is to provide a distinctive citizenship for the UK and a separate but parallel citizenship for the dependencies.

13 July 1981

CONFIDENTIAL

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W Jones

Nationality and Treaty Department