TNAG-1428-FCO40-1911-Future-of-the-Hong-Kong-public-service-1985 — Page 58

CONFIDENTIAL #

DRAFT

Abolition of the requirement of

British Nationality for the purpose of

confirmation in the rank of Administrative Officer

G.F. 326

Background

Contract officers, of whom

It is at present the policy of the Hong Kong Government to

require Administrative Officers on probation or trial to have or

acquire British nationality (which, in the case of local officers,

normally means British Dependent Territories citizenship) before

they can be confirmed to the Grade.

there are very few, are also subject to the requirement. The origin

of this policy cannot be traced but it is believed that it is based

on the premise that nationality entails allegiance to the Sovereign

so that the requirement promotes the security of the Crown and its

Colonies. The extent of application of the policy has been the

subject of consultation from time to time between the Hong Kong

Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Need for a Change of Policy

2.

Whatever the reasons for the original policy, the intention

is expressed in Section IV of Annex I to the Joint Declaration that

"Hong Kong's previous system of recruitment, employment

for the public service shall, save for any provisions providing

privileged treatment for foreign nationals, be maintained." It is

also known that Dr. Wilson told the Chinese during the negotiations

that the British nationality requirement would be dropped, though no

CONFIDENTIAL #