TNAG-2944-FCO40-4220-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-dependants-wives-and-widow-1993 — Page 68

employment in one of a number of key sectors. As you can see therefore the scheme has a specific purpose and was not designed to provide British citizenship to the wives and widows of ex-servicemen. In passing the legislation Parliament thoroughly debated the nationality and immigration status of these ladies but decided that their position was

secure.

This issue was raised again when Mr Goodlad, Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Hong Kong, met Members of LegCo in Hong Kong on 12 October. Mr Goodlad said that the existing provisions of the British Nationality Act did not allow the Home Secretary to exercise discretion in respect of a specific category of applicants. Neither did HMG have any intention to amend the relevant legislation to waive the residence requirement for the wives and widows to be granted full British citizenship.

I am sorry that I cannot send you a more helpful reply.

yours sincerely, & Woodrow

J Woodrow

Hong Kong Department