TNAG-1560-FCO40-2124-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 78

CONFIDENTIAL

-4.

passport

are broadly content with what

endorsement, though we

is proposed for the

strongly prefer the

second alternative for the footnote given in the draft

leaflet annexed to the letter, i e

preferred by the Hong Kong officials.

the one which was

As you know there

proposed would

footnote were

i s reason to believe that the package as

be acceptable in Hong Kong if this

accepted: however before the letter issues we

issues we should like

to confirm this with the Governor who may

to

possibly wish

consult the Executive Council briefly and in

confidence. We do not wish to do this until we are sure

that y ou and the Home

proposed.

Secretary

are

happy with what

i s

3.

The non-Chinese minorities

of most concern.

are inevitably the area

continue

As you know, in purely Hong Kong terms

we would not wish to press you to go further than you are

now proposing, and we well understand the difficulties.

However although we believe that Hong Kong will acquiesce

in what is proposed, they will, as you say,

publicly to complain that not enough is being done for

the Indians. We

rema in worried about the Parliamentary

this, especially in the House of Lords.

understand the view reflected in your

reaction to

While I can

submission

that it might not be wholly unacceptable

the Urder

to

be defeated in the Lords on this

thereby clearly obliging you to change your views

for

point,

on

it,

CONFIDENTIAL