TNAG-1565-FCO40-2130-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 50

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KEY NO.39?

START CM 39

CONFIDENTIAL

HAN 340 нин

RECEIVED IS REGISTRY

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6 MAY 1986

FOR CHIEF SECRETARY

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

FROM COMMISSIONER LONDON

HKGO 5529/LM 388

644

15T MAY 1986

PLEASE COPY TO 5 FOR S, S(GD), PA, PS(GH)

NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCIL 1986.

LORD MISHCON HAS JUST TELEPHONED ME TO SAY THAT LORD CLEDWYN WISHES TO PUT DOWN A MOTION TOMORROW WHICH READS, ''TO MOVE THAT THIS HOUSE CALLS UPON HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT TO WITHDRAW THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ORDER 1986 AND TO MAKE ANOTHER ORDER IN ITS PLACE WHICH WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF GRANTING THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO THOSE MEMBERS OF HONG KONG'S ETHNIC MINORITIES WHO, UNDER THE DRAFT ORDER, WOULD BE GRANTED THE STATUS OF BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) BUT MIGHT IN FACT BE RENDERED EFFECTIVELY STATELESS.

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2. MISHCON HAS ASKED FOR A REACTION FROM HONG KONG WHICH WILL GUIDE THEIR LORDSHIPS, AND I SAID THAT I WOULD GET THIS BY 1000 HOURS (LONDON TIME) TOMORROW, FRIDAY 2 MAY.

3.

4.

MISHCON IS TELEPHONING ME AT 1100 HOURS TOMORROW CLONDON TIME).

I GATHER THAT LORD CLEDWYN FEELS HONOUR-BOUND TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO SUPPORT THE NON CHINESE ETHNIC MINORITIES IN HONG KONG AND THAT HE EXPECTS CROSS BENCH SUPPORT FROM OTHER PEERS. CLEDWYN WOULD PROPOSE THE MOTION AND MISHCON WOULD SECOND..

5. I IMMEDIATELY ASKED MISHCON IF HE HAD RECEIVED A COPY OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY'S STATEMENT IN LEGCO ON WEDNESDAY WHICH WE SENT HIM, BUT HE HAD NOT. I SHALL SEE TO IT THAT A COPY IS IN HIS HANDS BEFORE WE SPEAK AND I RELAY YOUR ADVICE.

HAYE

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