TNAG-2194-FCO40-3131-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 210

SOLICITOR GENERAL

MON

Scenton & State

The PM kas returned

again

Itties

idea of deering residence in HK to equate to residence in UK fo

settlement qualification. As before, the

PRIME MINISTER

My Part, HKD (244 Als

PS/M Mande

Mo Lidington

conclusion is that there would reed Legal Advers

this

HONG KONG ASSURANCES legislation and would be no easier than

the fill we now have in mid. CDP is

You raised with me yesterday the question whether it might be possible by a suitable legislative instrument to provide that a British Dependent Territories citizen residing in Hong Kong would be deemed to be resident in this country for the purposes of section 4 of the British Nationality Act 1981, so as to entitle him

to registration as a British citizen under that Act. The example you had in mind was a business man who would qualify under the existing proposed scheme and who, while establishing his business connection here, would be requested by the Government to continue primarily to reside and work in Hong Kong. Such a legislative instrument might provide that such a person, remaining in Hong Kong in those circumstances, would be deemed to have fulfilled the UK residence requirements provided for in section 4 of the British Nationality Act.

I have looked at the British Nationality Act in the context of such a scheme and it would be possible, if there were thought to be advantage in so doing, to draft legislation which would so provide. I understood you to have legislation in mind when we spoke yesterday, and I do confirm that for any such provision legislation would indeed be necessary.

In substance the effect of such provision would probably be very similar to the present draft Bill, but how well it would tie in with the general framework of our nationality legislation I have had no opportunity to consider.

I am copying this Minute to Douglas Hurd and David Waddington.

فلا

Zde

the PM

ttre

गा

iden.

во

Sa lisk

abre

нко

34014

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

2 5 MAY 1990

PA

RY

Feli

Page 210Page 211