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JWN14/19
1152
M J Hill Esq
Hong Kong Department
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
London
SW18 2AH
HEK BACA
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
18 DEC 1986
Dear Mike
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
HONG KONG: BRITISH
Please reply to The Under Secretary of State Your reference
Our reference
NTY/861/387/13
Date
16 December 1986
Imek 19/2
NATIONAL (QVERSEAS) REGULATIONS AND RULES
The Regulations and Rules have now been signed and we expect to lay them before Parliament on 18 December. They are subject to negative resolution, although we do not expect them to be prayed against.
We understand that Hong Kong will probably wish to publish the Regulations and the Rules. The Regulations themselves are not controversial and we do not expect them to give rise to any questions or difficulties, but it is possible that people in Hong Kong may question the need for Deprivation Rules. As you know, Hong Kong originally suggested that we should not make Deprivation Rules at this stage, in case they were misunderstood in Hong Kong. They pointed out that up to 1997 we could effectively deprive someone of BN(0) status by depriving them of British Dependent Territories citizenship under the existing Deprivation Rules. After discussion with Alan Carter Hong Kong subsequently agreed that the provision should be made now rather than leaving over unfinished business to be picked up nearer to 1997 when they could well be much more controversial.
Hong Kong will no doubt wish to have a line ready to take to answer any criticisms about the Regulations and Rules once they are published.
We suggest something on the following lines.
"The Regulations and Rules are both routine instruments. They are simple and straightforward adaptations of the existing BDTC Regulations and Deprivation Rules.
The Regulations set out how and to whom applications for BN(0) are to be made. They ensure that application for BN(0) status can be made from anywhere in the world.
The Deprivation Rules are a recognised and essential part of establishing procedures for acquiring and losing a new citizenship. They impose nothing on Hong Kong BDTCs to which they are not already subject under the BDTC Deprivation Rules".
We should be grateful to know if you are content with this line.
Jay Sing
J P EMERY
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