TNAG-1190-FCO40-1492-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 94

SECRET

It would be more dif-

apply the current immigration controls. ficult to do so if those concerned held passports describing the

That is for the future, and one holders as "British nationals".

hopes hypothetical, but arguments about the application of immigration control to British Overseas citizens are by no means The Home Secretary feels that our present stance hypothetical. would be weakened if the outcome of the changes being made on 1 January 1983 were to be the issue to these people of passports describing them as "British nationals".

We very much hope therefore that you will feel able to con-

It should be possible to tinue to reject the Hong Kong request. explain refusal in terms which do not lay all the emphasis on the There is the need, for need to retain a UK immigration control. example, to avoid confusion with "UK national" as it appears in some treaties and with the term "UK national for EC purposes" (highly relevant since it does not cover people from Hong Kong). Nor do we think that the difficulties which people from Hong Kong may have with foreign immigration controls would disappear if "British national" appeared in the passport alongside "British Dependent Territories citizen".

As to the handling of the matter, the timetable is now very tight. If you feel it necessary for Ministers to reach a final collective view on this matter before Sir Edward Youde's visit to the Prime Minister, we assume your Private Office will take

But it may be the initiative in seeking to arrange a meeting. best if the Prime Minister could be advised to do no more than promise to consider the representations made to her by the Governor of Hong Kong. In that event you will no doubt ensure that she is aware of the Home Secretary's views as reported in this letter.

SECRET

Yours sincerely

Wilfed Mydle

W N HYDE