TNAG-1191-FCO40-1493-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 132

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PS/Mr Onslow

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FALKLAND ISLANDS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Problem

1.

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PS/Lord Belstead PS/Mr Rifkind

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Mr Hickson, FID Mr McQuade, HKGD

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To reach agreement with the Home Office on the line to be taken by Lord Elton at the second reading of Lord Bruce of Donington's Bill, if possible before Mr Onslow's visit to the Falkland Islands from 3 to 9 October.

Recommendation

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No ma 19/14 AF14/101

2. That Mr Onslow should discuss this with Mr Raison before

his departure. Falkland Islands Department agree. Mr Raison will be back at the Home Office from 29 September.

Argument

3. During his visit to the Islands Mr Onslow will be asked how the Government propose to handle the Falkland Islands (Citizen- ship) Bill. He will not be able to answer in any satisfactory way unless a Parliamentary line has been agreed with the Home Office at Ministerial level beforehand.

Background

4. During the first week of September the Secretary of State decided that we should allow Lord Bruce of Donington's Bill to go through without objection since, whatever attitude the Govern- ment took, it was almost certain to get through. It was further decided that in the Hong Kong context our efforts should be directed to explaining why there is no similarity between the case of the Falklands and that of Hong Kong and why therefore no precedent would be set by Lord Bruce's Bill.

5. The Home Office were informed of this and of our Ministers' view that the Government's second reading speech should reflect qualified enthusiasm. Also that it should take account of the very special circumstances which the country as a whole will see justifying a departure from precedent, and that it should not dwell on the position of other dependencies.

6.

Home Office officials have allowed us to see the latest version of the draft speech for the second reading which they are submitting to Mr Raison. A copy is attached. Although amended from a previous version it still does not closely follow the FCO prescription. However the draft probably reflects the views of the Home Secretary.

24 September 1982

Christopher Howells

CJ Howells

Nationality & Treaty Dept