TNAG-2192-FCO40-3129-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 86

Background

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References

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

Mr Bowen Wells' letter of 16 February and a draft reply from the

Secretary of State.

Previous correspondence with Mr Bowen Wells about Hong Kong.

Extract from FAC report on assurances for Hong Kong people.

Mr Lidington's minute of 7 March.

Letter from Chairman of FAC of 28 February.

1.

In his letter of 16 February to the Secretary of State, Mr Bowen Wells raised a number of objections to our proposed nationality

scheme.

2.

The key points in his letter are that:

i) the nationality package will undermine confidence in Hong

Kong because it is an admission that we do not have much faith

in the Joint Declaration.

ii)

The scheme will be highly divisive and those who are not given British passports will be reinforced with their determination to leave the territory.

iii) British passport holders will suffer discrimination in Hong

Kong after 1997.

iv) It will lead to further pressure from other Hong Kong

people to come to this country.

v) There is adequate provision for Hong Kong people to come to

this country under the 1981 British Nationality Act and the

existing immigration rules.

Mr Wells' views on the nationality package are at odds with the

CONFIDENTIAL