TNAG-1085-FCO40-1335-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 120

but confidential soundings which we took from Government supporters in the Commons indicated that the possible immigration commitment that this might entail would be unacceptable there. They were anxious that citizenship should not descend to the second generation unless there was a clearly defined connection with the United Kingdom and they themselves suggested that a period of residence might be an acceptable way of defining such a connection. Given that the employment criterion has proved too complex, would be almost impossible to administer, and has failed to satisfy even the people for whom it was intended, I see no alternative to amendments on the lines which I have suggested.

I am sending copies of this letter to the Prime Minister, members of H Committee, the Secretary of State for Defence, the Secretary of State for Industry, the Secretary of State for Trade, the Secretary of State for Energy, the Attorney General, the Lord Advocate and Sir Robert Armstrong

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