TNAG-1085-FCO40-1335-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 126

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British Nationality Bill: Developments since late June 1981

Position Reached in Parliament

363

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Having passed its Third Reading in the House of Commons on

4 June, the Bill received its Second Reading in the Lords on 23 June.

The Committee Stage in the Lords started on 7 July and was completed

on 23 July.

2.

The most significant development in the Lords was the passage

of the "Gibraltar clause" under which CBDTS of Gibraltar, by virtue of

their status as United Kingdom Nationals under the Treaty of Rome,

would be entitled to be registered as British citizens on application

without meeting any other requirements. The "Gibraltar clause" now

stands as Clause 10 of the Bill.

3.

An amendment to include the Falkland Islands in the definition

of "United Kingdom" was withdrawn when the mover (Baroness Vickers)

realised that there was little prospect of it being carried in the face

of strong Government opposition. The Baronnes indicated, however, that

she would return to it at Report Stage. Lord Geddes gave notice that,

if the Falkland Islands amendment was passed, he would seriously consider moving an amendment at Report Stage "which would encompass

position of Hong Kong."

the

The Report Stage in the Lords will take place on 6 to 8 October,

with the Third Reading preliminarily scheduled for about 20 October. The

House of Commons resumes on 19 October. The Bill will have to be enacted before 30 October, the date fixed for prorogation, if it is not to be lost.

Hong Kong's Position

There

The passage of the "Gibraltar clause" has been labelled by Sir Y.K.

Kan and one or two others as being based on racial discrimination.

5.

/has also

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