TNAG-1382-FCO40-1830-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 43

85-06-05 17:29 007

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TELEX 0693 85-06-05 17:29

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RECEIVED IN RALISTRY 19 JUN 1985

nie.

FOR MILLER FROM LAM

HKG0/1696/LM438

MY

INDEX

PA

iction Taken

5 JUNE 1985

VISIT TO HK BY MISS ANNE OWERS, RESEARCHER, JOINT COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF IMMIGRANTS (JCWI)

YOU MAY HAVE LEARNED FROM S/GD THAT THE JCWI, A VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION (FUNDED MAINLY BY CHURCHES AND CHARITABLE TRUSTS), WERE ACTIVE IN LOBBYING MPS AND PEERS ON THE NATIONALITY PROVISIONS IN THE HONG KONG BILL 1985. THEIR POSITION PAPERS OPPOSED AMENDING THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 BY THE ORDER IN COUNCIL PROCEDURE AND SUPPORTED INDIANS AND OTHER NON-CHINESE WITH NO OTHER CITIZENSHIP BEING ALLOWED TO REGISTER AS BRITISH CITIZENS. HOWEVER, WHEN THEY WERE MADE AWARE BY US OF THE UMELCO POSITION THEY QUICKLY FELL INTO LINE.

Z.

JCWI WILL FOLLOW CLOSELY THE PASSAGE OF ORDER IN COUNCIL CONCERNING THE NEW BNO STATUS AND RELATED PROVISIONS TO PREVENT THE DESCENDENTS OF NON-CHINESE BOTCS BECOMING STATELESS. ACCORDINGLY, THEY ARE CONSIDERING SENDING THEIR RESEARCHER, MISS ANNE OWERS, TO HK FOR A VISIT TO MEET PEOPLE AND TO GATHER OPINIONS FIRST-HAND. S/GD AND DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION ARE AWARE OF JCHI'S ACTIVITIES. PLEASE REFER TO MY MEMO OF 16 APRIL 1985 ADDRESSED TO S/GD. THE JCWI HAS APPROACHED US FOR ASSISTANCE IN ORGANISING THE PROGRAMME OF MISS OWERS. THIS ORGANISATION IS WELL INFORMED, MODERATE AND BASICALLY SYMPATHETIC TO HK, AND WE RECOMMEND THAT SOME ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE GIVEN.