TNAG-2371-FCO40-3446-Hong-Kong-nationality-UK-passport-scheme-British-Nationalit-1991 — Page 17

Mr Ted stone,

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1961,

Mr Paul, HKD

CONFIDENTIAL

CC MR MORRIS

MIDO MARSIDEN

MR PAUL

wi

11/2

HKD 310/4

RECE:

FROM: DATE :

сс

13 FEB 1991

R A Burns

8 February 1991 : PS/Lord Caithness

Mr McLaren

34

HONG KONG : NATIONALITY ACT

1. While I have been in Hong Kong you have been pursuing the question of the apparently sluggish take-up of applications for British nationality under our scheme : ie 3000 applications out of 300,000 forms handed out (out of 2 million printed). I might record the following points made to me. At ExCo we heard various explanations :

2.

(a) the form is too complicated;

(b)

(c) (d)

the image of the scheme is too elitist; the age focus (30-40) is a deterrent; Chinese hostility is also a deterrent.

Mr Heap (BTC) told the Minister that he too thought the scheme was too complex and widely perceived to be biased in favour of the public sector. He also thought many of the relevant people had already secured passports elsewhere. There was a danger that we would have to settle for low quality applicants.

3. On the other hand we also heard it suggested that applicants were delaying putting in their papers (a) to see the list of British firms and (b) to ensure they benefited from any fresh information etc which up to the last minute might boost their chances.

4.

The Governor's view was that we should not lose our nerve. If the take-up was low now this would leave more to be issued in the second tranche. In any case the scheme had very successfully demonstrated the UK's commitment to Hong Kong. There was no cause for embarrassment.

Comment

5.

It would be helpful to know how immutable are the date of 28 February as a cut-off date for applications and the division between first and second tranche.

RA3

RA Burns

ALDAFP

CONFIDENTIAL