TNAG-2944-FCO40-4220-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-dependants-wives-and-widow-1993 — Page 50

Foreign & Commonwealth Office

30 November 1993

Ian Taylor Esq MBE MP

MUD 340/8

RECE

мид

1 DEC 1993

London SWIA 2AH

From The Minister of State

House of Commons

London SW1A OAA

INDE

39

Dew lan

Mr Woodrow

Zile

Thank you for your letter of 18 November enclosing one from your constituent Mrs Morar Ryton, of 10 Talbot Lodge, West End Lane, Esher, Surrey KT10 8NE, who is concerned about the nationality rights of those widows of Hong Kong servicemen who lost their lives in the service of the Crown.

I can well understand Mrs Ryton's feelings about the widows whose husbands bravely served in the defence of Hong Kong

Those men made a heroic during the Second World War. contribution to Hong Kong. I am sure that this is not ignored in this country.

The question of British citizenship for this small group of

The ladies has been very carefully considered by Ministers. problem is that there is no provision in nationality law to grant British citizenship to a person who is not resident in the United Kingdom. So we do not have the power to grant what they are asking for. But assurances have been given by Ministers that these ladies could settle in the United Kingdom at any time and apply for British citizenship in the normal way. We have also done all we can to ensure that if any of these ladies want to apply for entry clearance to the United Kingdom, their applications can be processed very quickly.

I am returning your constituent's letter.

Aberta's

تقليل

ALASTAIR GOODLAD