TNAG-1191-FCO40-1493-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 124

MR ONSLOW'S DISCUSSION WITH MR RAISON

Line to Take

1.

Need for agreement on how we will handle Lord Bruce's

amendment. Islanders bound to enquire.

2. Cannot in circumstances even appear to fob them off.

Purpose of my visit to reassure.

3.

Entirely understand Home Office concern about precedent.

No wish to damage the overall structure of British Dependent

No need to do so.

Territories citizenship.

Circumstances

exceptional.

Unique.

4. I shall be emphasising this uniqueness in order to

drive home the magnitude of what we are doing for the

Islanders. This should make it clear to other dependencies

that we will not do the same for them.

5.

There will be an undesirable and awkward backwash from

other dependencies in particular Hong Kong. It will be

-

for us at the Foreign Office to deal with this.

6.

When asked about all this in the Falklands I shall

take the line that the Government welcomes the intention

of Lord Bruce's amendment, and that we shall be glad to see

it succeed.

Possible Additional Points

7. [If Mr Raison suggests that it would be difficult for

a Home Office Minister to make the Second Reading speech

and that Lord Belstead might take it on, Mr Onslow can say

that Lord Belstead will be away visiting the South Pacific].

18.