TNAG-1189-FCO40-1491-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 131

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CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 100156Z AUG 82

TO PRIORITY F C O

TELEGRAM NUMBER 863 OF 10 AUGUST

THE FOLLOWING FOR MCQUADE, HKGD

BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT : DESIGNATION IN PASSPORTS

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THIS IS TO CONFIRM Y TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH DICK CLIFT ON 6 AUGUST. YOU MAY LIKE TO BE REMINDED THAT JOHN RIFFITHS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND AUTHOR OF THE LEGAL OPINION WHICH WAS THE BASIS FOR THE NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL XCCI(82)36, IS IN THE UK AND WILL BE COMING INTO THE FOREIGN OFFICE FOR CONSULTATION ON THE PAPER ON THE FUTURE WHICH ALAN DONALD IS MASTERMINDING. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE LEGAL ADVISERS ARE STUDYING THIS OPINION FOLLOWING MY DISCUSSION WITH LORD BELSTEAD AND IT MAY BE HELPFUL TO THEM IF THEY DISCUSS THE OPINION WITH JOHN GRIFFITHS.

2. UNOFFICIALS MADE CLEAR TO ME AGAIN YESTERDAY THEIR STRONG INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT A FORMULA CAN BE AGREED FOR INSERTION IN THE PASSPORT WHICH WILL MAKE CLEAR THAT THEIR

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RATIONALITY IS UNEQUIVOCALLY BRITISH. IT WILL CERTAINLY DE

IMPOSSIBLE TO CONVINCE ANY OF THE UNOFFICIALS HERE NOW THAT THERE ARE OVERRIDING OBSTACLES TO THIS COURSE.

YOUDE

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cc. Mr Freeland. 1078