TNAG-2198-FCO40-3152-Hong-Kong-nationality-spouses-and-widows-of-British-expatria-1990 — Page 115

E.R.

From:

Vivienne Dews

B2 Division Lunar House 760 1228

June 11, 1990

нка 34018

RECEIVER REGISTRY

17 JUL 1990

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

DESK OFFICER

INDEX !

CC

Ms Spencer Mr Langdon

Mr Morris Mr Moorey Mrs Grimsey

Mr Harrington Mr JB Taylor

Mr Morris FCO

Ms Dent

26

WIVES OF EXPATRIATE BRITISH CITIZENS IN HONG KONG: MEETING WITH THE RT HON PAUL CHANNON MP ON TUESDAY 12 JUNE

This note is briefing for the Home Secretary's meeting on 12 June with the Rt Hon Paul Channon MP and Mr Julian Walsh, the Chairman of the Concerned British Expatriates Society in Hong Kong at which they will press for the spouses of British citizens living in Hong Kong to be granted British citizenship in line with the spouses of beneficiaries under the Hong Kong Bill.

LINE TO TAKE

1

The general intention of the BNA 1981 is that British

citizenship should not be acquired automatically through marriage but should be available only to people who have

thrown in their lot with the UK. Hence spouses now have to

satisfy a requirement of three years residence. This applies to the spouses of expatriate British citizens throughout the

world.

The arrangements in

in the Hong Kong Bill depart from that

principle but only because they are intended to meet a unique

set of circumstances. The beneficiaries will be a limited and

carefully selected group of key workers and their immediate

families. This is a specific measure aimed at enhancing confidence in Hong Kong.