TNAG-1190-FCO40-1492-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 63

rd Bruce's Bill.

CONFIDENTIAL

4. Among the arguments we could put forward would be

that the status of British citizen which the Bill

would accord to the 400 mono-BDTC Falkland Islanders

would derive from the fact that they have already

an

been given/assurance by the Home Secretary which

virtually confers the right of abode, and this is not

the case for other territories (except Gibraltar).

•

5. As you will have noted from the correspondence

about the use of 'British national' in Hong Kong BDTC

passports, any alleged immigration obligation is

nullified by the unequivocal statement that 'The

holder does not have the right of abode in the UK'.

British citizenship could only follow from the grant

of the right of abode as in the case of the

Gibraltarians and, probably, the Falkland Islanders.

We should be able to take our stand on this.

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