TNAG-1378-FCO40-1826-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 142

GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT

CONFIDENTIAL

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LINE TO TAKE

Reimi actual woods

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Rean ļ

I am very glad that we have been able to make this amendment to the

Bill at this stage. I know that number of hon and rt hon Members

were anxious that we should incorporate the title of the new form of nationality in the Bill before it went to another place.

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Mr rt hon and learned Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary

announced the title British National (Overseas) in the Second

Reading Debate. It was,

I think, well received by the House.

As a result of the Government's decision to postpone the Committee Stage the people of Hong Kong have now had an opportunity to express their opinions on the title, and I am glad to be able to report that

it seems to be generally acceptable in the territory.

title which meets all the necessary

•

It was not easy to devise

requirements. One the one hand it needs to make clear that we are

dealing with a form of British nationality Nothing less would be

acceptable in Hong Kong. On the other hand it is essential that the

title can be used after 1997 and therefore that it carries no

implication of a continuing constitutional relationship between

Britain and Hong Kong after 1997. The title "British National

(Overseas)" meets both these criteria.

court.

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in

I commend the amendment to the Committee.

CONFIDENTIAL