TNAG-2158-FCO40-3078-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-Chinese-views-1990 — Page 136

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

Written

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[ 19 JULY 1989 ]

lay. The Scottish Members of this House like to back to their northern fastness and I know that re is some irritation when the Government are ced by pressures of time to bring forward business this kind on a Friday.

Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: My Lords, that is ery helpful indeed. I am most grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Tordoff, for advising me about these natters. It is of course true, too, that the Licensing Amendment (Scotland) Bill Committee stage will also be taken on that day. Surprisingly, that has caused some degree of contention and I understand that a number of amendments have been put down. The Committee will no doubt give due consideration to those amendments and, indeed, I understand that some interesting propositions are to be put forward concerning methods of dealing with the problem of teenage drinkers in Scotland.

Those proceedings will last for some two hours, which will, I hope, take us to approximately 3.30 p.m., when we shall reach the Unstarred Question in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Cox. I see that this matter is to be handled by the noble Lord, Lord Henley, for the Government and by my noble friend Lord Peston for the Opposition. This Question concerns the redeployment of two history teachers who were formerly employed at Lewes. Priory Comprehensive School. This again looks like being an interesting debate and I can assure noble Lords that I shall be in attendance at that time.

I see that we are then to wind up with the issue of Royal Assent-something which it is interesting to deal with on a Friday afternoon.

most

Finally, I should like to thank the noble Viscount, Lord Long, for having moved the Motion and to suggest that he may perhaps now wish to withdraw it.

Viscount Long: My Lords, I beg leave to withdraw

the M

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12. by leave, withdrawing 34008

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Social Security Bill

Returned from the Commons with one of the amendments agreed to and with the remaining amendments disagreed to, with reasons for such disagreement; the reasons ordered to be printed.

Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Bill

Returned from the Unopposed Bill Committee with amendments.

Opticians Bill [H.L.]

with

Returned from the Joint Committee amendments and recommitted to a Committee of the Whole House; the Bill ordered to be printed.

House adjourned at sixteen minutes past one o'clock.

Answers

Written Answers

ARGENTINA: RELATIONS WITH UK

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FID

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the light of the statements made by the new Government of Argentina, (i) whether they agree that direct diplomatic relations should now be restored; and (ii) what action they propose to achieve a new dialogue on matters of mutual interest.

The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne): We have followed with close interest the various comments that President Menem has made on relations between Argentina and the United Kingdom. If his approach is intended to restore more normal relations between us, while putting sovereignty to one side, then we welcome it and we shall respond appropriately.

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WED

MACAO: ISSUE OF PORTUGUESE PASSPORTS

Lord Borthwick asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they were consulted before the Portuguese government promised the inhabitants of Macao European passports.

Lord Trefgarne: No. The Portuguese Government have not promised all the inhabitants of Macao European passports. According to Portuguese nationality laws, only those born in a Portuguese territory of Portuguese parents have nationality rights, including the right of abode in Portugal. The 1981 Portuguese Nationality Act ended the automatic right of nationality to children born of non-Portuguese in Macao.

Earlier this year, the Portuguese started the issue of common EC format passports to Portuguese nationals. This does not reflect any change in their nationality status.

HII)

HONG KONG CITIZENS: UK UNDERTAKINGS

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made any commitment to the government of China-explicit, implicit or tactic-they will not offer the right of abode in the UK to any group, class or number of the people of Hong Kong.

Lord

Trefgarne: The United Kingdom memorandum associated with the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 states that "British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDICs) will cease to be BDTCs with effect from 1st July 1997, but will be eligible to retain an appropriate status which, without conferring right of abode in the UK, will entitle them to use passports issued by the Government of the UK". No other statements of intention in respect of nationality and right of abode have been made by the Government to the Chinese Government.

FEI

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