BACKGROUND
CONFIDENTIAL
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19
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We assume that Mr
that Mr Powell has chosen the word "status" because the UK
Memorandum says that BDTCs will be eligible to retain "an
appropriate status". Our intention has always been that this status
should be a new form of British nationality but the Chinese could
not agree to a clear statement to this effect being made in the UK
Memorandum.
Mr Powell's intention is presumably to prevent BDTCs retaining British nationality after 1997. He believes that it is wrong to
give British national status to persons who do not enjoy the right
of abode in the UK. It is of course the case that several
categories of British national already exist who do not enjoy this
right.
CONFIDENTIAL
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