TNAG-1392-FCO40-1864-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-for-meetings-and-visits-1985 — Page 190

Asian Development Bank

3.

SECRET

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR

40 YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION No. 27 (2..

on our re-drafted text

We are awaiting a Chinese response of exchange of notes on the Asian Development Bank. When we receive their agreement, the ODA will be able to put forward an Order in Council enabling Hong Kong to participate in the Third

General Capital Increase in November.

Garrison

4.

We will be

announcing

Garrison from five to four

the reduction in the Hong Kong

battalions, probably оп Friday.

The Defence Secretary has also decided that the Gurkha

battalion to be withdrawn from Hong Kong should be disbanded.

At the s ame time, he wishes to make a statement committing the Government to the long-term retention of the Brigade of

Gurkhas.

5.

We have begun, with the MOD,

study of the long-term future of the garrison, considering what force should be raised

to replace it in terms of an internal defence force or a

strengthened police force, and at what rate the garrison should be wound down up to 1997.

Nationality

6. We have submitted the text of a White Paper

a White Paper including the

Hong Kong Nationality Order In Council to Ministers. It will

be circulated by the Home Secretary to members of OD (K). It

has already been agreed at official level and with the Hong

Kong Executive Council. The Home Office a im to publish the

White Paper in the middle of the month.

7.

The Order provides for British Dependent Territories

citizens by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong to lose that

status on 1 July 1997 but to be

be entitled to acquire a new

status, known as British Nationals (Overseas). The Order also

makes certain

The main area

provisions for the reduction of statelessness.

is likely to be the

of controversy in Parliament

SECRET