Mr Howells
CONFIDENTIAL
Nationality & Treaty Department
Tree
393
HRR
34011
RECEIVE VARY NO. ST 07 31
12 OCT 1981
DESK OFFICER NDEX
RY
PA
Joran Taken
₤14.10
1PGO 1/10
NATIONALITY BILL: HONG KONG
1.
As soon
Following the LPS's meeting yesterday I understand that the reply from Mr Whitelaw has still not been received. as it arrives we will draft a letter on the lines agreed proposing that contingency planning with the Home Office should go ahead on a fall-back which would be held in reserve for possible use in the Third Reading in the Lords on 20 October if the assessment of the likely Commons vote at that time suggests that the Gibraltar amendment will remain on the Statute Book.
2.
The failure of the Falkland Islands amendment last night by a dead heat of course makes the argument for a fall-back for Hong Kong rather less strong. Nevertheless it remains certain that if the Gibraltar amendment is not removed and no concessions are made to Hong Kong, we will face serious political problems with the Territory.
3. May I make two suggestions on briefing of Ministers for handling Lord Geddes' amendment proposing that the term
'British National' should apply to all three categories of citizenship. In the first place I hope that Ministers can avoid providing an opening for people to suggest that there is a major immigration threat from Hong Kong. Far too much was made of this in the Debate last night. I suggest that Ministers should concentrate on the imprecision of the term 'British National' and, if the immigration point must be made, place the risk squarely in the British Overseas Citizen category. The other point is that Ministers should express understanding of Hong Kong's concerns. Presumably it will not be possible to hint at any fall-back but the material which we have provided reiterating HMG's commitment to Hong Kong should be used.
Bun
8 October 1981
cc Mr Donald
Mr Adams
Mr McQuade
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
CONFIDENTIAL
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