TNAG-2639-FCO40-3831-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-nationality-dependants-1992 — Page 34

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Second, because the level of interest in Hong Kong

means that we would gain disproportionate political

benefit by agreeing to register the whole group rather

than choosing among them.

3. I see no need to extend this treatment to other

groups in Hong Kong seeking registration. Spouses of British citizens for example already have an open-ended entitlement to settle in the UK and, unlike these children, do not therefore need citizenship to encourage them to remain in Hong Kong.

4.

Peter Lloyd indicated in his letter to

Malcolm Caithness of 21 November that he thought any

concession would have to be limited to children under 18.

This is compatible with the terms of the 1990 Act and OMELCO have said they would be happy with that. But they

have expressed concern about the effect of an age limit

on those children who were not 18 when their applications

were lodged in 1991, but who have since turned 18. I

hope it will also be possible to register these

individuals.

5. I hope we can lean in the direction of generosity for this entire group.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

4 August 1992

TH

(DOUGLAS HURD)