TNAG-2198-FCO40-3152-Hong-Kong-nationality-spouses-and-widows-of-British-expatria-1990 — Page 159

E.R.

From:

CR Miller

B2 Division

Ms Bailey

760 2507

14 May 1990

HONG KONG BILL: MR BOWEN WELLS MP

CC

Ms Dent Mr Morris Miss Dews

Mr Harrington Mrs Grimsey

Mr Casey

Mr Morris (HKD)

Mr. Seymow (LAB)

During Committee last week Mr Bowen Wells MP asked Mr Lloyd about

the position of the widowed spouses of British citizens. He

referred to correspondence from the Concerned British

Expatriates' Society and argued that the spouses of British

citizens should be eligible for British citizenship while still

resident in Hong Kong. The relevant extract from Hansard is

attached (Annex A) together with the letter from the Concerned British Expatriates' Society, which they

which they circulated to all

members of the Committee (Annex B).

I attach a draft reply to Mr Wells which sets out the requirements of the Immigration Rules in relation to spouses, the

terms of the concession announced by the Home Secretary at Second

Reading, and the provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981

governing applications for naturalisation from the spouses of

British citizens.

I understand that Mr Wells also asked Mr Lloyd what was the legal basis of the Home Secretary's concession, as it does not appear either in the Hong Kong Bill or the Immigration Rules, and the draft reply responds to this point also.

You indicated that Mr Lloyd may wish to circulate copies of his letter to Mr Wells to the other members of the Committee.

Colin R. Muller

е.

CR MILLER