TNAG-1565-FCO40-2130-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 83

Cenyl-tial

CONFIDENTIAL

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CONSIDER SYMPATHETICALLY WHETHER TO ADMIT THEM TO THE UNITED KINGDOM ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

IN SUM, THEREFORE, WE HAVE ENSURED THAT THE AGREEMENT WE HAVE REACHED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND WHICH IS REFLECTED IN THE NATIONALITY ORDER PROVIDES ALL HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS, WHATEVER THEIR ETHNIC ORIGIN, WITH BOTH AN ASSURED CITIZENSHIP STATUS AND A CONTINUED LEGAL RIGHT TO LIVE IN HONG KONG. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A FAIR AND JUST WAY TO PROCEED WHICH PROPERLY MEETS THE INTERESTS OF ALL CONCERNED.

I REALISE THAT THIS DECISION WILL COME AS A DISAPPOINTMENT. I HOPE NEVERTHELESS THE COUNCIL WILL CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE POINTS WHICH I HAVE MADE HERE AND WHICH WE WILL NO

WE GREATLY DOUBT EXPAND ON DURING THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES.

VALUE THE CONTRIBUTION WHICH COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE MADE TO THE LIFE OF HONG KONG AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT CONTINUING IN THE

YEARS AHEAD.

ENDS

HOWE

HONG KONG AGREEMENT: NATIONALITY

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

LEGAL ADVISERS MR GRAINGER,

MR D MCDOUGALL, MVD

MR HYDE, HOME OFFICE

MF EMERY, B4 DIV, HOME OFFICE, CROYDON

MF NICHOLSON, PASSPORT DEPT, HOME OFFICE.

ROOM 236, CLIVE HOUSE.

MR MCDONOUGH, B2 DIV, HOME OFFICE MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS

Confidential