TNAG-1189-FCO40-1491-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 199

CODE 18-77

Mr Clift, HKGD

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Reference

67

1|KK 340/1

BRITISH CITIZENSHIP FOR ALL FALKLAND ISLANDERS?

1.

AF281

Sve(68

Lord Bruce of Donington has introduced a Bill identical to Mr Kilroy-Silk's in the Commons to confer British citizenship on Falkland Islanders. The second reading of the Lords' Bill is likely to be taken in October or earlier at which point Lord Elton as Government spokesman may have to say fairly precisely what our attitude then is.

2.

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During the passage of the 1981 nationality legislation the Government resisted attempts to confer British citizenship on all Falkland Islanders because of the likely effect on other dependencies. Nevertheless even then before the war with Argentina - pro-Falkland sentiment in the Lords was so strong that the Government prevailed only by the narrowest of margins.

3. The current line in Parliament is that the question is academic given the undertaking to admit all Falkland Islanders to the United Kingdom whether they have the right of abode or not.

But Home Office officials see this as open to the retort that if the matter is academic there seems no reason why British citizenship should not be given to those Islanders who are due to become British Dependent Territoriescitizens on 1 January 1983. Ministers have never said that they oppose in principle British citizenship being given to all the Islanders.

4. Against this background Home Office officials have asked for our views. I think it would be wise to give them at least an indication quickly while their ideas are forming. In the event we may have to balance off views from HKGD and SAmD and possibly from others in a submission before we can offer coherent FCO advice. But meanwhile I should like to be able to give the Home Office an idea of at least the first reactions of HKGD who may wish to consult the Governor.

5.

Might you be able to let me have a line on this by Wednesday 28 July? I should be grateful also for a preliminary indication of the views of SAmD.

23 July 1982

ce:-

Lord N Gordon Lennox

Mr Fearn, SAmD

WIAD

SPD

SED

Chris toplum Rowills

C J Howells

Nationality & Treaty Dept

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