TNAG-1561-FCO40-2125-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 54

GRS 150

CONF-IDENT-NAL

FM HONG KONG

TO DESKBY 181100Z FCO

TELNO 824

OF 1810152 MARCH 86

CONFIDENTIAL

364

TOP COPY

FOLLOWING FOR LAYDEN, HONG KONG DEPARTMENT FROM GOVERNOR

362

YOUR TELNO 4971 NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCIL

1. THE REFERENCE IN THE LAST SENTENCE OF PARA 4 OF YOUR TEL UNDER REFERENCE SUGGESTS THAT THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS VIEWS WILL ONLY OCCUR DURING THE ACTUAL PASSAGE OF THE ORDER THROUGH PARLAMENT. THIS COULD WELL GIVE RISE TO MISUNDERSTANDING THAT THE INTENTION WAS TO RUSH IT THROUGH. WE ASSUME THAT THERE WILL HAVE TO BE A GAP BETWEEN THE LAYING OF THE ORDER AND THE DEBATE AND INDEED PARA 2 OF YOUR TEL REFERS TO SUCH A GAP. EVEN OF MINISTERS HAVE NOT DECIDED HOW LONG IT SHOULD BE WE PRESUME THAT THERE IS A MINIMUM PERHOD IN SUCH CASES.

2. IN THE LIGHT OF THIS COULD THE LAST SENTENCE OF PARA 4 NOT BE AMENDED TO READ:

**THERE WILL BE A FURTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE CONCERNED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE MATTER BETWEEN THE LAYING OF THE ORDER AND ITS PASSAGE IN PARLIAMENT.''

3. GRATEFUL FOR REPLY DESKBY 18233OZ.

YOUDE

HONG KONG AGREEMENT: NATIONALITY

WITH 0404

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

19 MAR 1986

REGISTRY

PA

Aon Taken

DESK OFFICER INDEX

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/NTD

RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)

DEP HD/PUSD

PS

PS/MR RENTON

PS/PUS

SIR W HARDING MR WILSON MR BARRINGTON

COPIES TO:

MR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT

MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS

MR GRAINGER, LEGAL ADVISERS

MR D MCDOUGALL, MVD

MR HYDE, HOME OFFICE

MR EMERY, B4 DIV, HOME OFFICE, CROYDON

MR NICHOLSON, PASSPORT DEPT, HOME OFFICE.

ROOM 236, CLIVE HOUSE.

MR MCDONOUGH, B2 DIV, HOME OFFICE

MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS

CONFIDENTIAL