TNAG-1190-FCO40-1492-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 118

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accept any general obligation to admit them to British territory.

21.

Where a particular passport holder was in a third country, the authorities in that country might press the UK to take responsibility for him on the ground that he was travelling on a British passport but in that event it would be immaterial whether the passport referred to him as a British national or not.

22.

We should therefore take up the Home Office's suggestion of a meeting between the Secretary of State and the Home Secretary, aiming to get a favourable decision in time for the Prime Minister's visit (she leaves for the Far East on 16 September). It would however clearly not be possible to reach agreement before her meeting with Hong Kong Executive and Legislative Councillors on 8 September. The Governor has undertaken to steer the Councillors off the subject and has advised that Lord Belstead, whom they will see on 7 September, should inform them that the matter is still under consideration, without commitment.

6 September 1982

FH Brown

Nationality and Treaty Department

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