TNAG-1189-FCO40-1491-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 138

CONFIDENTIAL

Annex A

to submission

of

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE ON PARLIAMENTARY CONSIDERATIONS

A

B

C

D

Letter of 23 July from Mr Raison to Mr Michael Shersby MP

'During the passage of the Bill an undertaking was given by the Government to accord very sympathetic considera- tion to any Falkland Islander who, during an emergency, might be in difficulties over entry to this country. This of course repeated earlier undertakings. The Govern- ment have kept to their undertakings by announcing that in present circumstances no Falkland Islander, whether or not he has the right of abode here, would have any difficulty over admission into this country. Any Islanders who are subject to immigration control are being admitted without any restrictions on their stay'.

'I am afraid that this will come as a disappointment to you and the Islanders but this is a time when we should be taking careful stock of the position and not rushing into legislation which could have implications for the new nationality legislation as a whole'.

Letter of 23 July from Mrs Pallett to Hayhoe giving Home Secretary's views

'To give Government support for the Bill would have much wider implications, eg for the status of Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies in Hong Kong as well as for the future position of the Falkland Islanders themselves. In the circumstances it would seem best for the Govern- ment spokesman to explain the Government's reservations during second reading and suggest that the Bill should be withdrawn. In the event of a division, the Home Secre- tary thinks that Ministers present should abstain'.

Letter of 30 July from Hayhoe to Mrs Pallett giving Lord President's views

'The Lord President is content with the line proposed in your letter for handling Lord Bruce's Bill in this Session'.

Letter of 30 July from Lord Boyd-Carpenter to Home Secretary

'Lord Bruce of Donington has given notice of an intention to introduce a Private Member's Bill conferring full British citizenship on the Falkland Islanders in the

'spillover' sittings in the Lords in October. I think it is likely that such a Bill, even though moved from the Opposition Front Bench, will attract a good deal of support in the House of Lords, including from at any rate some Conservatives'.

CONFIDENTIAL

/' Even