TNAG-1190-FCO40-1492-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 41

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of

6. Apart from this important substantive point, the home of FCO Ministers is that the general tone at the Government's second reading speech should be not the Government allowing itself to be defeated but qualified (in one very important respect) enthusiasm. They also feel that the tone of the speech should reflect the very special circumstances which the country as a whole will see as justifving a departure from precedent in this unique case. This is an occasion when consistency must take second place, and it seems unprofitable, therefore, to dwell at excessive length on the position of other dependencies.

ec to:

Mr Clift, HKGD Mr Fearn, FID

Mr Partridge, MVD

Mr Rushford, Legal Advisers

Miss Brooks, Legal Advisers

fi

F Brown

Nationality and Treaty Department

CONFIDENTIAL