TNAG-2180-FCO40-3117-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 180

CODE

18-77

Mr Kirk

ED

GIBRALTAR:

1.

CONFIDENT

Reference...

"ARD 340/4

RECEIVED IN REG

02 MAY 1990

DESK OFFICER

POSSIBLE ENTRY SCHEME FOR HONDENG BDTCS

$1155

REGISTRY

Action Taken

There is very little I can usefully add to Mr Haque's minute to you of 6 March other than to point out while a local Ordinance defining Gibraltarian status exists, Gibraltar has no power to enact citizenship legislation which is exclusively the British Parliament's preserve. The possibilities open to Hong Kong belongers who may become ordinarily resident in Gibraltar to acquire British citizenship under the provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981 were set out in my mintue to Mr Williams of 23 January, a copy of which is attached for ease of reference.

2. The Gibraltar Chief Minister appears to want to admit to the Colony a limited number of Ilong Kong entrepreneurs and businessmen. I am not familiar with Gibraltar's current immigration legislation but they may well be able to do this without the need for any fresh local legislation. I doubt whether Gibraltar would find it easy to amend its immigration legislation in such a way as to convey a right of residence in the Colony to people who physically remained based in Hong Kong.

3.

In view of the prospective opportunity for the eventual acquisition of British citizenship by those Hong Kong belongers whom Gibraltar, if it goes ahead with its idea, might admit you

(or Hong Kong Department) might consider letting the Home Office know of the Chief Minister's proposal for information.

22 March 1990

cc Mr Hague, HKD

Mr Chamberlain, Legal Advisers

A HARRINGTON NTD CL510

270 4069

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 180Page 181

SED

P Williams