If the usual Parliamentary procedure had been followed and the future nationality status of British people in Hong Kong had been decided through an Act of Parliament, the unanimity of the concern about the three major issues would almost certainly have led to its amendment, in the same way as Gibraltarians were able to secure access to British citizenship during the debates on the British Nationality Act 1981. Mr Luce and Baroness Young's assurances in 1985 clearly commit the government itself to undertake amendments in line with the prevailing views in Hong Kong and in both Houses. All but two of the eighteen Members who spoke or intervened in the Commons did so in support of the Legislative Council's recommendations; Lord Glenarthur in the Lords had to concede that "every" speaker in that House supported the minorities' recommendation along with with the other recommendations. He promised that the government would therefore "consider the matter again very carefully".
I hope that such reconsideration will lead the government to amend its proposals in line with the clear wishes of the people of Hong Kong and of members of both Houses from all main political parties, especially as there are indications that Beijing would not oppose, and might indeed welcome, such amendments.
It would show that Ministers meant their promises to Parliament last year. Failure to act, on the other hand, would confirm the fears which led to those promises being made: that the process set up to decide Hong Kong's nationality was designed to stifle full and proper discussion of the rights and needs of all British nationals there.
The Legislative Council's recommendations reflect the widespread feeling in Hong Kong that the present proposals are inadequate and will cause injustice: that feeling will now persist unless the inadequacies and injustices are remedied. Such action will be in the longterm interests both of Hong Kong and Britain. It will contribute to Hong Kong's stability by ensuring that no British national need leave Hong Kong simply in order to acquire a proper citizenship; and it will prevent lasting damage to Britain's reputation in the Far East,
We would welcome an opportunity to discuss possible amendments in any of the three areas outlined above, In view of the Foreign Office's continuing involvement in the matter, I am sending a copy of this letter to the Foreign Secretary, Because of the public interest here and in Hong Kong I am also releasing it to the press in both places,
Yours sincerely
Fiona Mactaggart General Secretary
сс Sir Geoffrey Howe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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