TNAG-1189-FCO40-1491-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 201

GR 280

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FM VISFO LONDON 230880Z JULY 82-

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

MIG 001 OF 23.7.82.

GVM 349/5.

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STRY

YRTELS NOS. 773 AND 789 ENTRY OF FALKLAND ISLANDERS INTO UK.

1. HOME SECRETARY GAVE UNDERTAKING DURING SECON` READING DEBATE ON BRITISH NATIONALITY BILL ON 28 JANUARY 1981 (HANSARD COLUMNS 938/9) THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THE PROBLEMS OF ANY

ISLANDER WHO DID NOT POSSESS THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK AND WHO WAS IN TROUBLE AT THE TIME WOULD BE MOST CAREFULLY AND SYMPATHETICALLY CONSIDERED. IN VIEW OF THE ARGENTINE INVASION ON 2 APRIL AND SUBSEQUENT ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF THE FALKLANDS THE HOME SECRETARY GAVE AN ASSURANCE (HANSARD, 8 APRIL COLUMNS 421/2) THAT IN THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES NO FALKLAND ISLANDER WHETHER HE HAD RIGHT OF ABODE OR NOT WOULD HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY OVER ADMISSION TO THE UK. UNDERTAKING CAN BE FULFILLED AS AND WHEN NECESSARY THROUGH DISCRETIONARY POWERS UNDER IMMIGRATION ACT 1971. THIS WAS NOT PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OF FALKLAND ISLAND BTDC'S OVER OTHER BTDC'S, BUT A RESPONSE TO DIFFICULTIES CERTAIN JALKLAND ISLANDERS FACED AT

THE TIME.

AINFALKLA

MEANWHILE, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT MR KILROY-SILK M.P. INTRODUCED A PRIVATE-MEMBER'S BILL TO GIVE TO THE ESTIMATED 400 NON-PATRIAL JALKLANDERS BRITISH CITIZENSHIP. BILL'S PROGRESS WAS BLOCKED ON 9 JULY. A SIMILAR BILL CURRENTLY BEFORE HOUSE OF LORDS 18 LIKELY TO FAIL TOO. MINISTERS ARE UN SYMPATHETIC TO BILLS SINCE, IN LIGHT OF HOME SECRETARY'S UNDERTAKING OF 8 APRIL, THEY SEE NO IMMEDIATE NEED FOR AMENDING LEGISLATION. THE COMMONS BILL PRESUMABLY PROMPTED TIMES REPORTS OF 9 AND 10 JULY REFERRED TO IN FIRST TUR.

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