TNAG-1566-FCO40-2131-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 63

13. So British citizenship cannot strengthen these people's position in Hong

Kong: nor can it extend to more than 2 generations born in

in the future. It is not therefore necessary to meet their real needs.

Hong Kong

14. But there are also points of principle and fairness which I ask your Lordships to consider. It has been argued that whatever we do for the people of Hong Kong

has no implications for British nationals elsewhere in the world. With respect,

we doubt that. One of the aims of the British Nationality Act 1981 which were

fully discussed in this House and accepted by your Lordships was to confer on British nationals a form of nationality which accurately reflected their links with the

United Kingdom or elsewhere. British citizenship is a reflection of a person's

links with the United Kingdom itself. Generally speaking, British nationals

connected with former dependencies became British Overseas citizens on

1 January 1983. The special position of Hong Kong has been recognised through

Kong BDTCS the arrangements we have prepared for all Hong to have the right to acquire British

National (Overseas) status. If they do not do so, then it would be a proper

reflection of their position for them to be British Overseas citizens. To grant

them British citizenship would be wholly anomalous.

There

15. We must also consider the effect on other British Overseas citizens.

are about 2 million British Overseas citizens throughout the world, of whom about

800,000 have no other nationality. We must have regard to their position if we

were to conclude that British Overseas citizenship was not an appropriate form

of nationality for some groups of people in Hong Kong who appeared to them to be in a

similar position to themselves.

[16. There are also the implications for immigration into this country.

At present

there are about 11,500 people who might benefit in 1997 from the grant of British

citizenship. But there are about another 60,000 ethnic minorities in Hong Kong

who could apply to become British Dependent Territories citizens, and who might

also consequently benefit. We cannot responsibly leave open this uncertain, but possibly very

large commitment]

17. To grant British citizenship with the right of abode in this country could

therefore cause a series of pressures, strains and stresses the results of which

are uncertain and unpredictable but which could well have a serious impact not

only in Hong Kong itself, but in many other parts of the world where British

Overseas citizens are currently living and in the United Kingdom itself. We cannot

responsibly go into the years up to 1997 on this basis. Nor should we at this

stage seek to provide an alternative measure just in case. † which could only

To do so would quite unjustifiably wishy bust about the commitment 1 the spintores to the full and faithful viderentation 1

ite agreeant.

This

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