TNAG-1559-FCO40-2123-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 97

Private Secretary

CONFIDENTIAL

From: Date:

CC:

PS/Lady Young

Pu

21 January 1986

PS/Mr Renton

PS/PUS

Sir W Harding

Dr Wilson

(168

Natury

1231,

Mr Galsworthy, HKD

HONG KONG ORDER IN COUNCIL:

HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE

1. As you know, Lady Young was on the Front Bench with Lord Glenarthur during yesterday's Lords Debate on the Hong Kong Order in Council. It proved to be a rather sticky occasion, with none of the Peers who spoke supporting the Government's position. Lord Glenarthur amended his closing speech to make it even clearer that the Government's mind was not closed on the question of an endorsement in BN (0) passports; he told Lady Young that the Home Office were indeed thinking hard about this and were considering three possible ways of getting around the problem. Lady Young is certain that a concession on this will be the minimum that will be needed to get the Order through the Lords when it is formally tabled in March/April. There was also strong pressure on both the other major Legco requests (British citizenship for ethnic minorities and ex-servicemen) and she is not at all sure that we shall be able to get away without concessions on these points. She will be discussing this informally with Lord Whitelaw.

21 January 1986

Mr. Puwell.

Shilli

SG Eldon

PS/Lady Young

нин owolf

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INDE

24 JAN 1986

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CONFIDENTIAL