TNAG-2122-FCO40-3028-Future-of-the-Brigade-of-Gurkhas-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 23

From: THE PRIVATE SECRETARY

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PS/Minister SECRET HKC 062 15

MrBQ

UK EYES A

Mr Mclaren

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SEND

ARMED FORCES BILL

HKD_ Sec Pol

HOME OFFICE

QUEEN ANNE'S GATE

LONDON SWIH 9AT

6 November 1990

Special Adviserö Barack

PROVISIONS AFFECTING GURKHAS

Your letter of 2 November to Tim Sutton indicated that the Prime Minister is prepared to see the Armed Forces Bill proceed without the provisions amending the British Nationality Act, provided the Home Secretary is also content. This letter is to confirm that the Home Secretary is content for the Bill to proceed without these provisions.

The Home Secretary's agreement is with the proviso that, if such legislation became necessary at a later date, as a result of any decision to station a significant number of Gurkhas in the United Kingdom, the Home Secretary would expect the Secretary of State for Defence to be responsible for sponsoring the Bill in Parliament.

I am copying this letter to the Private Secretaries to the Lord President, the Defence Secretary and members of OD, to Murdo Maclean in both Houses and to Sonia Phippard.

Yours onestly

Charles Powell Esq 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA

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MISS H J WILKINSON

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Miss Marsden

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