TNAG-1085-FCO40-1335-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 183

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late to make further amendments to the Bill to give comparable treatment to eg St Helena and Montserrat, and the Government would not be prepared to do that anyway, the dependencies might ask for an administrative arrangement'' allowing them freedom of entry to the UK without having British citizenship which could be done despite the Immigration Rules. We are sure that the Home Office would resist this too.

5. In relation to Hong Kong we believe they are realistic enough to know that there is no possibility that they might be given freedom of entry to the UK whether by statutory

or administrative means. What is more it is probable that they would prefer to see the Gibraltar and Falkland Islands amendments see

go through if that enabled them to have their wishes on nomenclature. Nevertheless we suspect that if the Government were not seen to have opposed these two amendments to the fullest extent various factions in Hong Kong might bring this up every time there are negotiations on any aspect of Hong Kong/UK relations where there is a conflict of interests. And particularly since the likelihood at present is that the Government will oppose a change of nomenclature. I think that the arguments in relation to Hong Kong are for opposing the Gibraltar and Falkland Island amendments to the end.

6. I should be grateful for comments from all addressees (TRED for Hong Kong trade implications and CRD for students fees).

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pomer

I J TOWNER

Nationality & Treaty Department