TNAG-1566-FCO40-2131-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 118

BACKGROUND NOTE

1.

The request by the Council of Hong Kong Indian Associations was one

of three requests made of the Government by the Unofficial Members of the

Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) of Hong Kong. The three requests

were:

a)

an endorsement in BN (0) passports that the holders

do not require a visa or entry certificate to visit the UK;

b)

that non-ethnic Chinese British Dependent Territories

citizens should be granted British citizenship and;

2.

c)

that the 270 or so former servicemen who fought for

Hong Kong in the Second World War should be granted British

citizenship.

The Government's response to these requests were announced by the Home

Secretary in answer to a question from Mr Colin Moynihan on 23 April.

A copy

is attached. The Government have agreed to the passport endorsement, and to

meet the ex-servicemen's concerns. But the Government have refused the request

by and on behalf of the non-ethnic Chinese on the grounds that it is neither

necessary to secure their future in Hong Kong, nor right to accept such a

large and uncertain immigration commitment.

3. The Home Secretary is to write to Mr Sital, the Vice-President of the

Council of Hong Kong Indian Associations, explaining the reasons for the

Government's response

and we understand the Prime Minister will also be writing

4.

The draft Order in Council was laid before Parliament on 28 April.

Arrangements will now be made for the debates on the Urder to take place within

the next few weeks.