TNAG-2632-FCO40-3823-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-Nationality-(Hong-K-1992 — Page 32

From

Mr GOODLAD

The Rt. Hon. Tim Renton, M.P.,

House of Commons

London SW1A OAA

November, 1992

DRAFT

Thank you for your letter of 22 October. I am glad that you heard for yourself the Governor's address on 7 October. The support for his proposals within Hong Kong which you noted during your visit is holding up well although the Chinese reaction, as you anticipated, is

not encouraging.

You mentioned in your letter that you had called on the British

Council offices during your visit and had been told of their concern about applications for some of their staff under the British

Nationality Selection Scheme. I can confirm that the cases you refer

to have been carefully considered. Unfortunately for them, none of

them meet the (very specific) criteria for registration as British

citizens in the first phase of the scheme. There can be no

reconsideration of these particular applicants under the first phase,

but it is open to them to apply again under the second phase. This is

tentatively scheduled to commence in 1994. Those concerned have had

this explained to them.

I regret that I cannot be more precise the requirements of

confidentiality for handling applications precludes me from going into

any more detail about this.