TNAG-1191-FCO40-1493-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 10

1)

CONFIDENTIAL

4. The Prime Minister was briefed about this problem. At her

press conference on 27 September in Hong Kong, she said she

would look into it on her return. In later interview with BBC

TV, she referred to Hong Kong's request to be 'described on

their passports for their nationality as British'; she

commented she hoped we would be able to have 'some encouraging

news for them'.

C 5.

The Governor has reported (Hong Kong tel number 1111) that

EXCO and LEGCO Unofficials would probably make difficulties over passage of amendments to Hong Kong legislation consequential on BNA unless a favourable decision is given

on the nomenclature issue. This underlines strength of

feeling in Hong Kong. Sir S Y Chung also stressed there would

be difficulty, when he called on Secretary of State on 18

October.

A

D

6. Our agreement to the inclusion of 'British national'

in Hong Kong passports would be seen as tangible evidence

of our interest in the people of Hong Kong and of our

commitment to the territory in the wake of the Prime Minister's

visit. No 10 have asked for examples of any gestures towards Hong Kong which could help alleviate the territory's

anxieties. Our acceding to Hong Kong's request for British

national' in their passports is most effective gesture in

our power to grant. It would also help to deflect criticism,

sure to be voiced in Hong Kong, when it becomes known that

HMG do not intend to oppose Lord Donington's Bill for

granting British citizenship to Falkland Islanders (although

it now appears that Lord Bruce will not move his Bill

until after 3 November).

7. The Home Secretary's worries over the inclusion of

'British national' in passports are given in Mr Hyde's letter

of 31 August to Mr White and in Mr Walter's letter of 5 October

to No.10. They are:

(a) that inclusion of 'British national' in

/passports