TNAG-2934-FCO40-4209-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1993 — Page 61

Reference

CONFIDENTIAL

30 June 1997 is to hand out such a number of passports I think, the Consulate General.

-

not,

If we do not proceed as presently intended we are looking at an administrative nightmare. 30 June 1997 may be expected to be unseemly rather than a day of dignity as it should be.

4.

Any of the schemes proposed can only detract from the credibility of the BNO passport which we have been at pains to promote.

5.

6.

It seems to me that the problem is simply that those eligible (or some at least) do not want to make a choice. They are lucky to have one and perhaps more might be made of that. On other occasions when sovereignty has been transferred the majority have lost their British nationality automatically.

7. To our knowledge, opinion in the Home Office is split and acceptance of any of the suggestions put forward is not a foregone conclusion. I would urge that, whatever the Home Office response, the FCO takes a serious second look at what is proposed.

C C Hayward NTCD

CL 501

9 June 1993

CC

270-4069

Mr Ricketts

Mr Hum

Miss Brooks, Legal Advisers

CODE 18-77

CONFIDENTIAL