TNAG-1428-FCO40-1911-Future-of-the-Hong-Kong-public-service-1985 — Page 62

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circumstances be tolerated. Cases would then be

dealt with on an individual basis. As regards

serving probationary officers who may not yet have

obtained British nationality, they could be

informed that they may still apply for British

nationality if they wish to do so, but that this

would not be a prerequisite to confirmation.

(f) Public Reation

There is not likely to be strong public reaction to

abandoning the requirement of which in any case it

is unlikely that many people are aware. The more

likely reaction is that people will welcome a state

of affairs whereby Administrative Officers are put

in the same position as everyone else.

(g) Chinese Government's Reaction

The change, when introduced, will not escape the

notice of the Chinese Government. They are,

however, unlikely to react adversely since the

change is entirely consistent with the provisions

of the Sino-British Agreement.

G.F. 326

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