G.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL ##
機密
50
For information
(18.5.82)
XCCI(82)20
Copy No
• •
NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT: DESIGNATION IN PASSPORTS
Fof
of 40 Hkk 340/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
? 1 MAY 19?
DESK OFICER INDEX
PA
When the former Lord Privy Seal (Mr Humphrey Atkins) visited Hong Kong in January, Members represented to him that, when BDTC passports came to be issued they should describe the national status of British Dependent Territory Citizens as British. Mr Atkins agreed to consider the matter further.
2
Subsequently in March the Governor wrote to the Lord Privy Seal asking him that the entry on page one of a BDTC passport should include a reference under "national status" to the fact that the holder was British.
3
Mr Humphrey Atkins was not able to reply before resigning office, but a reply has now been received from Lord Belstead saying that he has looked again very carefully at the description to be used in BDTC passports. He would very much. like to accommodate Hong Kong's wishes, but he regrets that the legal advice remains firmly that the designation in the British Nationality Act must be adhered to.
4
Lord Belstead has also advised that the question of how BDTCs should describe their nationality on immigration forms is ultimately a matter between the individual and the country being visited. Formally the use of BDTC is advised but possibly officials of the country being visited might accept British: Hong Kong.
12 May 1982
(CR 8/2091/81)
COUNCIL CHAMBER
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
AP2G
(89)