TNAG-2939-FCO40-4215-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 70

15 JAN 93 15:24 B4 LINO 051 255 1160

P.6/12

with the disappearance of British nationality after the third

generation; they think the British nationality on offer is second

rate, that the passports have only travel document status and

that there will be no British consular protection for these

British nationals in Hong Kong. They view the assurances which

Ministers have given in the past as insufficiently firm. They

also say that the ethnic minorities by and large do not have the

characteristics required to succeed under the British Nationality

Scheme.

Line to take

?

7. It is suggested that the general line to take should be (i)

to point to the very full and careful consideration which the

Government has given in the past to this issue at the highest

levels most recently in the context of the British Nationality

Scheme; (ii) to say that the Government's view remains that

there is no case for special treatment and that the position of

the ethnic minorities has been adequately protected, both in the

Joint Declaration and Basic Law and also by the assurances which

the Government has given about action it would take in the event

of an emergency; but (iii) to give further consideration to

points made during the meeting.

8. On the specific criticisms just mentioned in paragraph 6

above the following points might be made:

a)

?

right of abode in Hong Kong this is primarily a matter

for the Foreign Office and Hong Kong Government who have no