‘Identity crisis’: UK passes British Nationality Bill in 1981 – SCMP archive

A matter of identity By Christopher Wood This article was first published on October 31, 1981 The passage of the British Nationality Bill through Parliament has proved an emotional issue for Hongkong, sparking off fears that the Colony is sliding into political limbo. As Hongkong-born British subjects lost their right of residence in the United Kingdom back in 1962, the strength of feeling against the legislation has surprised many, including probably the British Government. But such a view... [Image text:] SOUTHCHINAMORNING POST A matter of identity SATURD After.a seriesof-amendments csome-successful some not-the British Nationiality Bill has completed its stormy passage through the British Parliament. CHRISTOPHER WOOD reports THE passage of the British Nationality Bill through Parliament has proved an emotional issue for.Hongkong,sparking off fears.that the Colonyis sliding into.political limbo. AsHongkong-born British subjects.lost their right ofresidencein.theUnited Kingdom back in 1962,the strength of feeling against the-legislation Government. But.such a.view'ignored the fact that the central issue for most criticsand-one shared by the Hongkong Government,was thequestionmark.the Bill:placed over the future of Hongkong's.special relationshipwith Britain.- By arousing.fearsof a.weakening'ofthat conncction.the Billhas acted as a catalyst for a kind of collective.identity crisis. The necd'for.Britain toDennyHuang.saw it as an Lord Kadoc Sir Sze-yuenChung SirPaulBryan lefine newnationalitylawsattemptby the-British Gov Dr-Denny Huang last year towards jts own de-bers of the.fraternity of old scribed the Bill on its.publica-clare their. nationality, this fficeMinister ofStateMrkong rimothyRaison,wasto put He'saidTheBritish thats:foreigners