TNAG-1188-FCO40-1490-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 104

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Muwiliano Celegram to insur

Mr Donald

1175

HACK 340/1

PA

RAUNER

ד

CONFIDENTIAL

Might

51

(31)

3014.

Ps / Lord Belstead

cc:

Mr Howells, NTD

K

Miss Brooks, Legal Advisers

AF5/5

Дере

Recommended.

Flyer with the craft

भी

1/3/20

See 80

BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT: HONG KONG PASSPORTS

Problem

1.

To reply to the letter of 16 March from the Governor of

Hong Kong about the nationality description of British Dependent

Territories Citizens (BDTCs) from Hong Kong in their passports.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that Lord Belstead telegraph the Deputy

Governor on the lines of the attached draft.

NTD agree.

Background

3.

The enactment of the British Nationality Act (BNA) caused

extensive resentment in Hong Kong particularly among the Unofficial

Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (known

collectively as UMELCO). This feeling continues and will no

doubt increase when consequential amendments are made this autumn

to Hong Kong's legislation.

4.

Although the designation BDTC has been accepted, Hong

Kong continue to wish to use a shorter description with greater

emphasis on their British connection to describe their nationality

in their passports ie, British (Hong Kong) Citizen. The Governor

raised this issue with the Lord Privy Seal last October -

paragraph 6 of Hong Kong telegram number 933. In his reply

Fikk 340/1

5340/1913

1981

CONFIDENTIAL

/Mr