TNAG-2942-FCO40-4218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 39

BY FAX

26 July 1993

Mr Bowen Leung PS/Governor

Government House

Hong Kong

Bear

Вален

RESTRICTED

transmitted

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

London SWIA 2AH

Telephone: 071-

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HONG KONG: NATIONALITY ISSUES

1. As you know, Mr Goodlad wrote to Mr Wardle on 21 July on the question of British citizenship for members of the ethnic minorities and more flexibility on fulfilling residence qualifications for war widows.

2. At close of play on 26 July I still have no word from the Home Office of the Home Secretary's decision on these two issues - which he is now considering. I wanted to warn you that Graeme Allen MP has tabled a Parliamentary Question "to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to grant full British citizenship to members of non-Chinese ethnic minorities in Hong Kong who will be without right of abode elsewhere after 1997; and if he will make a statement. 11 (You may recall that it was Mr Allen who spoke at length on this subject when the two Hong Kong Orders went through the Committee stage in the Commons). The question is due for reply on Tuesday 27 July. This will be the first public indication of whether Ministers decide to change current policy in the light of the House of Lords vote on 15 July. We will keep you posted.

Yours

السفرة

Debbie.

Deborah Barnes Jones Hong Kong Department

2

Lt.leung.NAT

JEB

Cc:

Dr S Vickers

Security Branch

Hong Kong Government

RESTRICTED

HKD 34016

28 JU 1997

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