TNAG-1560-FCO40-2124-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 79

CONFIDENTIAL

DSR 11C

we think that

of Hong Kong.

was malevolent

this would be extremely damaging in terms

considerable price to

The impression would be created that HMG

towards Hong Kong and that Hong Kong was

being saved only by a beneficent Parliament. This would

seriously damage Ou r standing and reputation in Hong

Kong. There would therefore be a

pay for such a defeat. We should

some reassurance from the business managers in the Lords

that there is at least a very good chance of getting the

legislation through without making concessions to the

ethnic minorities before finally accepting what is

proposed.

therefore hope to have

6.

In this context we do not think that it would be

wise to argue in Parliament that

be made to the Indians because

concessions should not

of the large number of

those who might be able to put themselves

in a position

to benefit from such a concession. I f we do this, it

will be pointed out immediately in Hong Kong that

that they

are not requesting such a wide ranging concession,

would be content to have

and

in

restrictions placed оп i t

apply only to those who are

such a way that it would

already BD TCs. We would undoubtedly be accused in Hong

Kong of being dishonest about this (just as we were in

CONFIDENTIAL