TNAG-1191-FCO40-1493-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 140

Mr McQu

Mr Clift

CONFIDENTIAL

Pechayes hats rond, see the Bills

PA

134

Reference

74

HKK340/1 24/4

AF29

H11341/4

A

(12)

B

133

нак 34514

24

C

Анальнов

Attached. D

A

HAK 341/4

CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO HONG KONG LEGISLATION AS A RESULT OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 (BNA)

1. We have received advance copies of two memoranda that will be discussed at EXCO on 30 September; they ask for approval to introduce into LEGCO the Immigration (Amendment No 2) Bill 1982 (and Regulations) and the BNA (Consequential Amendments) Bill 1982.

2.

As stated in the Public Relations paragraphs in both papers, publication of the bills will provide the opportunity for a renewal of the general criticism by the Hong Kong public and media (and indeed Unofficials) that was raised during the passage of the BNA through Parliament. Mr Williamson has also raised this point in a teleletter, in which he has asked if it will be possible to dampen such criticism by announcing a favourable reply on the proposal to extend the period of validity of multiple visit entry certificates.

3.

I have submitted separately on this, with a draft reply from Lord Belstead to Mr Raison: I do not think we will be in a position to reply substantively by 30 September. If, however, HKG consider it to be important that they should have some 'good news' to convey, they may be willing to delay gazetting of the Bill, and its subsequent consideration by LEGCO, until we are able to responde. I attach a draft reply on these lines to Mr Williamson: you may feel that this hints too strongly of a favourable outcome, in which case paragraphs 1+3alone could be used.

4. The contents of the 2 Bills and the regulations are generally unexceptional, and largely technical, except that it is necessary for HKG to redefine the category of 'Hong Kong belongers' in paragraphs 6-7 of A. This leads on to a comparison (in paragraph 11 and Annexes C and D) between the immigration status of BCs and resident BCs in Hong Kong and that of BDTCs in the UK. It is certainly possible that there may be some pressure for the HKG to be more restrictive in its immigration policy with regard to BCs; news of the extension of the validity of the multiple visit entry certificates may go some way to alleviate this.

24 September 1982

CODE 18-77

CONFIDENTIAL

Rachofere

RJ F Hoare