CONFIDENTIAL
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4.
The Chief Secretary made a statement about the change to
the Legislative Council on 24 November. It was not presented as a victory for Hong Kong lobbying, as this might encourage
other groups to seek similar alterations. For the same reason,
no public statement was made in the UK.
5.
These changes will come into effect on 1 January 1982, or
when stocks of existing passports run out. Instructions on the
heading of applications under the British Nationality Act 1981
(eg DSP Volume 43, "Instructions to Governors") will shortly be
issued. Hong Kong put forward suggestions about the wording in
these, which will be taken into account when a revised edition
is prepared.
BARONESS VICKERS' BILL
6.
HMG do not now intend to oppose Baroness Vicker's Bill in its passage through the House of Lords, which would make all
Falkland Islanders British Citizens. Any ill-feeling about
this in Hong Kong should be offset by the concession above,
over nomenclature in passports. Bill was given second reading
in Lords on 29 November. Lord Elton stressed that HMG thought
it unnecessary, but would not oppose it in view of the wholly
exceptional circumstances of the Falkland Islanders.
BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981
7.
A note on the British Nationality Act is attached at
Annex A. Hong Kong never liked proposals for separate citizenship categories. Would have much preferred no change
from unitary citizenship of UK and Colonies. Some change to
suit Hong Kong were agreed, eg additional category of British
Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTCS); entitlement to
registration of BDTC as British Citizen after 5 years' residence
in UK.
CONFIDENTIAL
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