TNAG-1385-FCO40-1833-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 268

[DBIAEU]

T Wooley sq Sec(0)(C)

Ministry of Defence Whitehall

London SW1

233 3918

19 September 1985

NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCIL: HONG KONG CHINESE SERVING IN HM FORCES

1. The Hong Kong Nationality Order in Council will be debated in Parliament in mid-December, and we and the Home Office are preparing briefing for Ministers. One subject on which there could conceivably be questioning during the debate is the nationality status and future of Hong Kong Chinese serving in HM Forces.

2. I understand that there are 3 categories of Hong Kong Chinese employed by HM Forces:

(a) those Hong Kong Chinese recruited in Hong Kong to serve in HM Forces in Hong Kong or in the Hong Kong Naval Squadron as civilians or disciplined personnel (so called LEPs and LECs);

(b) crewman working on the

the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries; and

(c) those working as laundrymen and tailors on navy ships.

3.

There have been a number of applications for British citizenship under section Section 6(1) of the BNA by those serving in category (a). The Home Office,

The Home Office, in consultation with the Hong Kong Government, have rejected these applications and will explain, if asked in the debate, that these individuals do not qualify for British citizenship.

irmation

4. If asked about the future of these 3 categories I would be grateful for MOD confidence that we can tak e the following line, *F-

these 3 categories:

(a) the future of Hong Kong residents serving in HM Forces in Hong

Kong or in Hong Kong Naval Squadron will be considered in the

context of the future of the garrison. This is

is the subject of a study by HMG in conjunction with the Hong Kong Government;

(b) these crewman are being phased out as the result of the 1975

agreement with the trade unions;