CONFIDENTIAL
Present Nationality Position of British Dependent Territories
Citizens
4.
I must stress the importance of securing an agreement which
will encourage Hong Kong people to continue living and working in
Hong Kong. Under the British Nationality Act 1981 BDTCs who have
been resident in the UK for 5 years have an entitlement to
registration as British citizens. Someone who has been in Crown service under the Government of a dependent territory (eg Hong Kong)
may be registered at the Home Secretary's discretion without
residence in the UK, paying regard to the special circumstances of
the individual case.
[If pressed on criteria for exercise of discretion].
Applications will be considered on their merits but it has always been the intention to use this provision very sparingly.
Civil Service Pensions
5. Civil Service pensions are a charge to the revenue of the Hong Kong Government. They have always been met. There is no reason to believe that the Government of the territory will not continue to carry out its obligations before or after 1997.
Visit of Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative
Councils (UMELCO)
6. In making the visit and issuing their manifesto the Unofficials were acting entirely on their own initiative. There was no prior consultation with HMG or the Hong Kong Government. They were exercising their right of free speech. It was understandable that they should seek to express their understanding of the wishes and concerns of the people of Hong Kong.
Split Between HMG and UMELCO [Defensive]
7. There is no question of a split with the Unofficials. Collaboration with the Unofficials, including the EXCO Unofficials who are the Governor's confidential advisers, remains close. They
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