TNAG-2976-FCO40-1245-Effect-of-the-UK-nationality-laws-on-Dependent-Territories-B-1981 — Page 81

3

APS/Lord Trefgarne

cc PS/LPS

PS/Mr Luce

PS/PUS

Mr Adams

PPD

İKOD

HKG 340/1

- 2 OCT 1981

DESK OFFICER

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Mr. M. Quaded

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Mr. Williamnt 21.10

Miss Biest Rolls R

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(61)

1110.

1

A

NATIONALITY BILL: THE CROWN SERVANT PROVISIONS

Problem

1.

The Bill provides that children of Crown Servants (members of the Armed Forces and of the Diplomatic Service) born en poste abroad will count as British by birth rather than by descent. The Diplomatic Service Staff Side set great store by the contribution made by the Secretary of State in obtaining this provision. We owe it to them to see that it is preserved.

2. Although the Bill as now drafted takes account of the concerns of the Diplomatic Service there is a risk that the position could be jeopardized as amendments are put forward during the final stages of the Bill.

Recommendation

3.

It would not have been appropriate for LPS to raise this local issue in his letter of 29 September to the Home Secretary which was copied widely to Ministers in other departments. I recommend however that Lord Trefgarne should make our concern known to Home Office Ministers. A draft letter to Mr Raison is

attached.

4.

Mr Adams, Personnel Policy Department and Hong Kong and General Department concur.

30 September 1981

Christippen Hourils

CJ Howells

Nationality and Treaty Department