of
The Schedule to the Bill deals with three aspects
related to the agreement and the termination
sovereignty. They are:
the changes in British nationality laws
as
necessary
and
the
a consequence of the agreement
associated Exchange of Memoranda with the Chinese
Government.
1
or
amendments to British laws
for in preparation
consequent upon the termination of UK sovereignty
and jurisdiction.
and the provision of diplomatic privileges and
immunities to the five Chinese members of the Joint
Liaison Group.
I turn now to nationality, and in this context I
shall mention the reasoned amendment tabled by the rt
hon Member for South Down. I made plain in the House on 5 December that the legislation we proposed to introduce
would provide power s to make the amendments to nationality legislation that are necessary as a result
of the agreement and the UK Memorandum.
These provisions are contained in paragraph 2 of
the Schedule which enables a subsequent Order or Orders
in Council to be made to ensure that British Dependent
Territories citizenship cannot be retained or acquired
on or after 1 July 1997 by virtue of a connection with
Hong Kong and to create a new form of British
nationality that may be acquired by persons who are BDTCs by virtue of such a connection.