TNAG-1191-FCO40-1493-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 126

From: THE PRIVATE SECRETARY

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OFFICE Mr Urt

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Dear Dound,

As you know, on 13 July Lord Bruce of Donington introduced a Bill which seeks to confer British citizenship on the Falkland Islanders. The Bill is identical to the one introduced in the Commons by Mr Robert Kilroy-Silk, which it was agreed in correspondence should be blocked, and is open to the same objections. On 24 June the Lord President declined to make time available in the Commons for the Kilroy-Silk Bill.

We understand that Lord Bruce has accepted that there will be no time for a second reading before the second week of the Lords spill over. His intention is presumably to use a second reading debate in October to embarrass the Government.

It would seem inadvisable, subject to any comments the Lord President or the Leader of the Lords may have, to take opposition to the Bill to the point of a division on second reading in the Lords. An amendment to last session's British Nationality Bill to confer British citizenship on the Falkland Islanders was disagreed to only after a tied vote at Lords Report Stage and it is quite possible that Lord Bruce would win a division on second reading of his Bill.

On the other hand, to give Government support for the Bill would have much wider implications, eg. for the status of Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies in Hong Kong as well as for the future position of the Falkland Islanders themselves. In the circumstances it would seem best for the Government spokesman to explain the Government's reservations during second reading and suggest that the Bill should be withdrawn. In the event of a division, the Hoine Secretary thinks that Ministers present should abstain. Lord Bruce is unlikely to attempt to take the Bill further at that stage in the session. If he does it would not seem unreasonable to decline to give assistance to remedy the Bill's drafting deficiencies.

I am copying this letter to Private Secretaries to the Prime Minister and other Members of OD as well as Members of L, and to David Wright (Cabinet Office) and First Parliamentary Counsel.

Yours sincerely,

DCR Heyhoe, Esq.

hadley Palle.

MRS L PALLETT