TNAG-1378-FCO40-1826-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 150

AMENDMENT NO

RESIST

LINE TO TAKE

CONFIDENTIAL

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18

I will now consider amendment no

The Government is committed to granting a form of British nationality to persons who are BDTCs by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong and I am sure that it enjoys the

sure that it enjoys the support of the House on this. What other status could we give these people that was not a form of British nationality? No other status is in our gift.

It was made absolutely clear at the time of the assessment exercise in Hong Kong and at the time of the debate on the agreement in this House that the "appropriate status" referred to in the UK Memorandum would be a form of British nationality. It was on this basis that the people of Hong Kong and this House endorsed the agreement. If we failed to specify it in the Order it would cause great dismay and lead to the belief that we were not keeping our word.

I therefore urge the Committee to reject the amendment.

CONFIDENTIAL

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