TNAG-1561-FCO40-2125-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 224

Mr McDonough

HONG KONG: NON-ETHNIC CHINESE BDTCs

NTY/86 1/387/4

сс Mr Bedford

HKK 040/4

RECEIVED IN REGISTHY

- 7 MAR 1986

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

311

GISTRY

PA

on Taken

Thank you for your note of 18 February enclosing two sample draft letters to correspondents who are concerned, one way or another, about the non-ethnic Chinese BDTCs in Hong Kong.

It seems to me that at this rather sensitive stage we ought to be sending replies which are as neutral as possible. I have therefore prepared the attached draft reply to the letter from Mr Solomon which, slightly adapted, would seem to me to serve equally well for those who support the ethnic minorities as for those who do not. May I suggest that until a final decision has been taken we respond on these lines to correspondents of the Mr Solomon type (with or without the immigration control paragraph as appropriate)?

WF Co

I have suggested by telephone some slight revisions to the proposed reply to Mrs Pickup. I agree the proposed draft is not very forthcoming, but Mrs Pickup does not appear to be expecting a reply in any case.

I should be grateful for any comments.

B4 Division

J P EMERY

21 February 1986