TNAG-1189-FCO40-1491-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 122

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CONFIDENTIAL

11/8

Morich

36

PS/Lord Belstead

cc:

Adam

Pl. do a Ps note, to include the sofs, say'

@ The prospect of L. Bruce's Bill be pressed & a sean Reading is morr disturbing. It also puts

menam

difficiles Mr Giffard position because I have recently cleared leave of absence ding

the loss fortnight in Ocr. with L. Denham in orda & atted

HKGD

confernce

Mr Howells, NTD forth Pacific Form (?) to Leance ty Ager L. Bruce &

2). I wonder whether we can artears by NATIONALITY ACT 1981 postpone his 2k until the new, Seosin (November)

(3). L. B-Confenter is no help, I wonder if in would be possible &

1.

Lord Belstead will wish to be aware of the difficulties which will be created for Hong Kong if Lord Bruce of Donington is not deflected from the second reading of his Bill to amend

the Nationality Act of 1981. The intention of this is to See (91)

2.

the

of this. It

he is to liste

reverse Government policy and grant British citizenship to all Falkland Islanders. You will see that this debate, if it occurs, will take place in the second half of October.

explan to L. B-C the grave H-Kimplicating

for nece I need hardly draw attention to the row we will have

be

have a word with

Land B-C. with Hong Kong if Parliament is obliged to give special

म treatment to the Falkland Islanders. I have no doubt that

the best advice from our side of the house is that we should re-state the Government objections in principle to Lord Bruce's amendment.

3. With the Prime Minister's visit to China and Hong Kong in the second half of September, the timing could not be worse. Mrs Thatcher can certainly expect to be lobbied hard in Hong Kong at the end of September if Lord Bruce's proposed amendment becomes the subject of public debate. Unless HMG can give some adequate reassurance to the people of Hong Kong, any discrimination in favour of the Falkland Islands will be seen a further evidence of HMG distancing itself from Hong Kong.

11 August 1982

HKK 360||

MOMYED IN BAGISERY NO.

18 AUG 1982

Austmald

A E Donald

11/8.

CONFIDENTIAL