TNAG-1562-FCO40-2126-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 74

FOI EXEMPTION NO. 40 (2)

THIS IS A COPY THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER

Reference......

CA TAAV

MrLeekee Mr PowelI Mr Smith

Mr Layden

CONFIDENTIAL

O bak

: 2

are

4710

passports

Adifficult

points. (if what we wanted Father than tendence in the UK (unte..... atleart);

(ii) pace X1. the superlen veher do put a price

никой?)сь

purepat (ivalise of) (£250,000, relidae) Ct. 20/3

agam

I &

"We're consultor the Governor & you're preframing a dress letter to 40.

NATIONAL I TY : WEAL THY CHINESE BUSINESSMEN

1.

Franton 25/0

Reference the exchange of letters between

letters between the Home Office and 10 Downing Street, I attach a copy of Section 4 of BNA 1981 which is the Section concerned with the acquisition of British

citizenship by BDTC's.

as

in

2.

For the Home Secretary to register these businessmen British citizens he would have to ignore the requirements Section 4(2) and (3) of the Act. On the face of it however he does have authority to do this - if he goes against the spirit of the Act and applies as widely as can be the powers he is given in Section 4(4).

3.

It will be interesting to know what he decides. But it seems to me that what No 10 seem to be advocating (ie agreeing to register these people) is fraught with political danger - the one policy for the rich, another for the rest syndrome, and if investment in the UK becomes a criterion for registration how much do we put on a British passport? Ι think we should lie low on this and wait to see if the Home Office make an approach to

us.

4.

нни саюу

RECEIVED 14 REGISTRY 26 MAR 1986

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

19 March 1986-

Y

PA

metuon laxen

DHill

M T Hill

Hong Kong Department WH 305

233 3722

CODE 18-77

CONFIDENTIAL

"I'm Every of the home office seg me this aftomon to 208 support. I guardedly agad. ho will suggest dixumin at the waking beeffour on 26 tank.

AWO Ltd. 7/84

He rang again - Kourould

presor no asscussion. Iraid

be kiu

consulting.

Gremo ・ der Gin wined xepent sulu autrice.