TNAG-1385-FCO40-1833-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 113

[NR7AEC]

Mr Galsworthy

(424

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference...

ник охо/+

WHITE PAPER

ди

(through Mr Eh

Ehrman)

NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCIL:

ABC

1.

Ministers have now approved the White Paper. I submit telegrams to Hong Kong covering the final texts of the White Paper and Annexes.

2.

The Home Office (Emery) called to say that an error had crept into the Draft White Paper. Because of an amendment made to Article 4(3) of the Draft Order in Council, consequential amendments had had to be made to paragraphs 22 and 25 of the White Paper. Paragraph 22 was correctly amended before

submission but paragrah 25 was not and the second sentence of this paragraph ("In addition ... stateless") which should have been deleted, was left in. Advice from the Home Office however was that there was no need to inform Ministers. The White Paper could be amended in this minor way after approval of the submitted text. Mr Emery does not intend that Hong Kong should be specifically informed of this change but when we telegraph the final text, the sentence should just be left out. I have done so in the telegrams. Also, when checking the texts, I noticed one or two other minor discrepancies, which have now been resolved with the Home Office and the telegrams incorporate these small amendments too.

3.

Mr Emery will be writing to you today giving the Home Office comments on the various amendments proposed by Hong Kong. *When we receive the letter we will need to send separate

telegrams concerning these proposals.

** 4.

Mr Emery hopes for publication on 17 October, but because the members of OD (K) have been given until 11 October to comment, this means that there is a possibility the Home Office will not be able to get the final proof to the Printers before 14 October - too late for the document to be set up for printing by 17 October. Printing may therefore slip to 22/23 October. Home Office are aware that Hong Kong wanted at least 8 weeks between printing and debate and this later date gives only 7 but the practicalities may mean that this shorter period may have to be lived with.

5.

The

Despite the deadline given to OD (K) members, Mr Emery agrees that we should send off the final texts to Hong Kong now. He does not expect there will be any amendments.

3 October 1985

Е

* hatter

CODE 18-77

further

мож

M T Hill

Hong Kong Department WH 305 233 3722

CONFIDENTIAL

now received. Telegram to Hongkong being typed.

little

།

ސ

now

Ref para 4 a love. Mr Emery, has just called again on timing. He

on 17 October & apparenter possibility of publication taking place Anso need proofs by 8 October which is impossible give the ODVC) deadline. He Fearesume going for publication on 22 or 23 October. I have anended draft covering telegram.

seen very