TNAG-1086-FCO40-1336-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 98

© 026/20

Mr. Willish

29

Mar Clift

K124/HKGD

10 NO DISTRIBUTION

[Top+/Advanced/HE GO

MICK 340/1

4·36

00 HONGAID

GPS 230

RESTRICTED

FM HONG KONG 200908Z OCT 81

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1856 OF 20 OCTOBER

FOR DAVID FORD FROM GOVERNOR.

PLEASE PASS FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO LORD GEDDES:

BEGINS:

DISK OFFING INDEX

мо

22.00

86023/10!

I AM IMMENSELY GRATEFUL FOR THE SYMPATHY YOU HAVE SHOWN FOR PEOPLE

IN HONG KONG AND THE EFFECT ON THEM OF THE NATIONALITY BILL.

IT IS TRUE THAT THE BILL AS IT STANDS DOES NOT ALTER CONSTITUTIONALLY

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HMG AND HONG KONG, NOR HMG'S COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG ITSELF, OR TO HELP HONG KONG TRAVELLERS ABROAD, NOR DOES IT CHANGE THEIR RIGHTS OF ENTRY AND ABODE IN THE UK. BUT THE CHANGE IN THE NAME OF THE CITIZENSHIP OF HONG KONG PEOPLE,

AND THE CALLING IN QUESTION OF THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF TERMS

LIKE BRITISH NATIONAL AND BRITISH SUBJECT THAT HAVE BEEN CURRENT

FOR SO LONG HAVE CREATED A SENSE OF CHANGE UNEASE

;

AND UNCERTAINTY. YOUR HEROIC EFFORTS TO AMEND THE BILL TO RESPOND,

IF ONLY SYMBOLICALLY, TO THOSE FEELINGS, AND TO PROVIDE REASSURANCE OF CONTINUITY, ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED.

ENDS.

2. I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO LORD GEDDES USING THIS IN WHOLE OR IN PART THOUGH I SEE NO NEED NOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUPPORT HIM. IN THIS CASE IT COULD BE TAKEN AS A MESSAGE OF PERSONAL

THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM.

3. IF HE DOES USE IT. A SENTENCE SHOULD BE ADDED AT THE END : **IT IS A MATTER OF PARTICULAR SATISFACTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT

HAS AGREED TO SUPPORT YOUR AMENDMENT''

MACLEHOSE

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