TNAG-1385-FCO40-1833-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 112

Telno 1880: Revised List

1.

General

CONFIDENTIAL

Agreed. We have inserted a reference to article 2(1) in the left hand margin. The abbreviations have been spelt out on first appearance. Reference to acquisition under the BNA 1981 now appears in brackets after the main heading.

2.

Specific

A. B. and C.

All agreed.

We have also given further consideration to Hong Kong's proposal that the White Paper should clearly state that the list at annex 2 is not necessarily complete. We have concluded that, after all, it would be preferable not to do this. Given that most of the people concerned will fall into one of the three simple categories, it seems a little disingenuous to suggest that such a lengthy and complex list may not be complete. We have told Ministers that we cannot discount the possibility that there is somewhere a person who does not appear on the list, and if necessary or appropriate this can be brought out during the debates. But we have no objections to Hong Kong making the point in any covering press statement which they may wish to issue, or in response to any questions on the subject.

We will be writing separately concerning Sir S Y Chung's proposed amendment.

I am copying this letter to Miss Veale (NTD) and to Home Office colleagues.

Yours sincerely

Jeny Every

JP EMERY

Nationality Division

- 3 -