TNAG-1193-FCO40-1495-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 146

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'Citizenship and National Status British citizens have the

right of abode in the United Kingdom. No right of abode in the

United Kingdom derives from the status as British nationals

of British Dependent Territories citizens, British Overseas

citizens, British protected persons and British subjects'. This can be done as the notes, are revised to bring them in line with the

terms of the British Nationality Act 1981.

9. I propose to introduce these amendments in United Kingdom pass-

ports when existing stocks run out in about 12 months' time.

Governors in the Dependent Territories will be asked to take

parallel action. Meanwhile I recommend that we should introduce

our revision of the description of BDTCs in passports when the

Nationality Act comes into force on 1 January 1983.

10. The Home Secretary has seen this memorandum and agrees that

if something has to be done for Hong Kong this is the best way

forward. It remains his view however that the steps we propose

may well cause additional unwelcome difficulties to the Government

in some future emergency affecting Hong Kong and will weaken our

position in the application of immigration control to British

Overseas Citizens.

11. I am copying this minute to the Secretary of State for

Home Affairs.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

16 November 1982

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