TNAG-1085-FCO40-1335-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 203

STRATFIELD SAYE HOUSE,

READING

Basingstoke 882218

PERMISCHEN AX

27th July 1981

در

By dear Peter

Be by 4/6 TEPS

I am most concerned at the Lords

B/in Ridley B5/M Luck

My Adams SED HKGD

decision last week to accept the amendment giving British nationality to Gibraltarians. As you may possibly know, I spoke very briefly towards the end of the Debate, stressing the point that should the amendment be accepted, it would make the task of finding a solution to the Gibraltar problem infinitely more difficult, and might well render it insoluble.

This

Apart from the implications vis a viz Hong Kong and elsewhere, I feel that the acceptance of this amendment has created a serious problem for the Government - a veritable rod for its own back. is especially so with regard to a solution of the Gibraltar problem, which I always hoped could be achieved within the framework of the European community on the assumption that Spain would eventually enter it or under the umbrella of NATO.

-

Some day an honourable solution to the Gibraltar problem has got to be found, and it is going to become infinitely more difficult if the Gibraltarians have full British citizenship.

I do hope the Government, when the Bill goes to the Commons, will put on all the pressure it can to remove this highly undesirable amendment.

ソ

The Lord Carrington, PC.,KCMG.,MC.

The House of Lords,

Westminster,

London,

S. W. 1.

Vilerran

(Duke of Likellington)

!