(d) NATIONALITY
CONFIDENTIAL
Much attention in this debate has focussed on paragraph two the Schedule to the Bill and the question on
nationality.
Mu
read carefully What is said
Paragraph 2 contains an enabling power for a subsequent
Order or Orders in Council to be made to give effect to
the provisions of the United Kingdom Memorandum which was handed to the Chinese when the agreement was signed on 19
December. The framework for subordinate legislation is
clearly stated in the Schedule. It will provide 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 create a new form of
British nationality that may be acquired by persons who
are BDTCs by virtue of such a connection. In addition,
provision will be made for the avoidance of statelessness
as a result of these changes and for such amendments to nationality legislation as are supplementary, transitional
or consequential to these main purposes. In other words
the content of the Order or orders is determined by the
framework laid down in this Bill.
the
It is simply not possible in the time available for the
enactment of the Bill to include full details of all the
legislative amendments that will be necessary for the
implementation of the commitments which on 10 December
House unanimously agreed that we should accept.
Nevertheless the Government considers it right that the
Bill should contain a clear indication of all the
legislation that will be required.
CONFIDENTIAL
d