TNAG-1085-FCO40-1335-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 116

NATIONALITY BILL

CONFIDENTIAL

C_DSK THE

1. The Hong Kong Government, and particularly the

Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative

Councils (UMELCO), have taken a keen and critical interest

in the Nationality Bill from the publication of the Green

Paper. They would much prefer to remain Citizens of the

United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKCS) but with some

reluctance had accepted that they would become Citizens

of the British Dependent Territories (CBDTs).

2. The passing of the Gibraltar amendment has, however,

revived Hong Kong's concern. They are not, however,

asking for equivalent rights to those expected by Gibraltar;

in particular, they do not demand a right of entry to the

United Kingdom. They do not look to the Nationality Bill

to provide them with an escape route in the unlikely event

of a Chinese take-over, But given the political

uncertainty hanging over Hong Kong and the feeling,

albeit unjustified, that HMG would like to distance them-

selves from the Territory, what does interest people in

Hong Kong is a clearer expression in the Bill of the

relationship between the Dependent Territories and the

United Kingdom, that is of their Britishness.

CONFIDENTIAL