TNAG-1193-FCO40-1495-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 9

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In August 1977 the Minister replied that the Green Paper did not indicate any alteration in HMG's policy towards Hong Kong

and its commitment to Hong Kong's security and prosperity. The constitutional relationship between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong would be unaffected. The Minister of State went on to say that it was not envisaged that any existing rights would be

withdrawn.

There followed a period of discussion between UMELCO and the Hong Kong Government regarding the technical implications of the Green Paper proposals. Briefly, UMELCO did not favour the two-tier concept of citizenship, saw no grounds for change and urged the Government to make representations to HMG to avoid any erosion of the existing rights of Hong Kong's British subjects.

It was felt that Hong Kong's British subjects would prefer to remain Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies; but if a change had to be made, a different citizenship should be created for British subjects of existing dependent territories instead of including them in the BOC category of citizenship which would eventually lapse. These views were conveyed to the FCO with the request that, in any event, the passport prefix "British Subject" must be retained for citizens of existing dependent territories such as Hong Kong's British subjects.

In November 1979 Sir Y K KAN made further representations to the then Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, in London. At the

same time, in London, Mr O V CHEUNG and Mr LI Fook-wo attended

discussions on Hong Kong's position with various MPs, including

the Minister of State at the Home Office, Mr Timothy Raison.

In July 1980, HMG published a White Paper entitled

"British Nationality Law - Outline of Proposed Legislation". It would replace Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies with a three-tier citizenship scheme, namely, British Citizenship, Citizenship of the British Dependent Territories (CBDT) and British Overseas Citizenship.

In September 1980 UMELCO discussed the proposals contained

in the White Paper with Mr Timothy Raison, Minister of State of the

Home Office, in the UMELCO Office, and held further discussions in

.

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