TNAG-1558-FCO40-2122-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 164

CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL

the if we

Indians

to admit such people on a case by case basis in light of particular circumstances. Furthermore, we think that agreed to give all those who become stateless after 1997 British citizenship (the only way to meet the

request) it would be

an invitation to the Chinese to declare anyone they thought undesirable, of whatever ethnic origin, to be non-Chinese. There is for example a very large communitiy of

Eurasians. people would then become British citizens with the right of abode in the United Kingdom. Nor can we rule out the possibility that if we give in to the Indians the majority of Chinese BD TC S

in Hong

themselves hard done by and request

In short, this would immigration commitment,

represent a and Wou 1d

demands for similar treatment for elsewhere.

Ex-servicemen

8.

Such

Kong might feel similar

treatment. pretty open-ended probably le ad

other communities

to

More

to

There are also serious difficulties about granting British citizenship to ex-servicemen

in Hong Kong. Whatever their contribution, there are many others who would have an equal claim to British citizenship. importantly, from

the limited facts at our disposal, it would appear that the majority of the ex-servicemen were in

British forces, and are therefore not eligible apply for British citizenship under Section 4(5)

of the BNA as proposed, because this section only applies to Crown service under the government of a dependent territory. There i s no other discretion in the BNA to

and these people British citizens, would require separate primary legislation to amend the BNA in this sense.

If we accepted those ex-servicemen who were eligible under 4(5) and rejected the others we risk drawing invidious distinctions between

enable

would

to us

make

different categories of servicemen.

9.

it

After considerable pressure from Ministers here, Mr Waddington will (we hope) be taking a relatively open line in the debate. He will emphasise that he is anx i ous to listen to MP c' views, and that these and reaction in Hong Kong will be taken in to account in considering the Order again before

before it is resubmitted

Parliament. He will not rule out any of the Unofficials' proposals, but he will

explain

serious difficulties

the

sees in all of them.

to

the

.

Government

CONFIDEN TIAL AND PERSONAL