TNAG-1562-FCO40-2126-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 71

· CPI AO0

CONFIDENTIAL

Hun 240/1 ним

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

FRUM:

CO HUM, HKD

- 7 APR 1986

DATE:

26 March 1986

DE!

INDE.

- Y

Taken

PS/Mr Renton

Sir W Harding

Dr Wilson

былтат

n

stati

Private Secretary

BRITISH CITIZENSHIP: REQUEST BY HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN

Problem

413

1.

To

Minister

Chinese

respond to the Home Secretary and to the Prime

about the suggestion that wealthy Hong Kong businessmen might acquire British citizenship

without fulfilling the usual residence requirement.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that the Private Secretary write to the Private Secretary at the Home Office, copying to No 10, on

the lines of the attached draft letter.

our

He would express

support in principle for the Home Office's positi to this idea, but convey the Governor's advice that no decision be taken until Hong Kong opinion had had a chance to calm down following the passage of the Nationality Order

in Council.

360

D

1239

Background

3.

The background is set out in Mr Powell's letters of 21

January and 18 March, and Mr Fittall's letter of 13 March.

We consulted the

attached.

Governor

by

telegram: his

reply is

CONFIDENTIAL

14.