TNAG-1188-FCO40-1490-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 75

2

}

PS/Lord Belstead

CONFIDENTIAL

Münte

I agree

PA

716.

7/6.

A-45

HONG KONG: BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT

1.

I understand that Lord Belstead is concerned lest the statement in FCO telegram number 370, that in describing British Dependent Territories Citizens for passport purposes the terms of the BNA 1981 must be strictly adhered to, be interpreted in Hong Kong as meaning that their passport description could not include the phrase 'Hong Kong'. I think this extremely unlikely. The Hong Kong Government and Unofficials are aware of ministerial statements, particularly Lord Belstead's in the House of Lords Attached on 22 June 1981, that the designation BDTC in the passport should

be followed by the words 'Hong Kong'.

B.

2.

On the other hand, Hong Kong are not aware that the use of the words 'Hong Kong' has in any way been challenged.

If we were to seek to reassure them on this we would probably only succeed in sowing new doubts. I therefore recommend that we take no action on this.

Zwikiaman.

HKK 340/1

べ

Afa

P J Williamson

4 June 1982

Hong Kong and General Department

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 75Page 76