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WHAT PROVISION BEING MADE TO ASSESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENTITLED TO NEW
PASSPORTS SO THEY CAN BE ISSUED EFFICIENTLY?
38. There are approximately 3 million BDTCs in Hong Kong, of whom
over one million already hold BDTC passports. It is not possible to
determine the actual number who will wish to acquire the new
passports because this is not compulsory. But clearly it would be sensible to allow plenty of time for the issue of those passports
to those who apply for them.
NEED FOR CUT-OFF DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
39. UK Memorandum provides that new status can only be acquired by
those who have obtained a British passport before 1 July 1997 (with exception of those born after 1 January 1997). Administratively necesary to set cut-off date for applications to allow time for processing them and issuing passports. (Those who do not already
hold BDTC passports will have to demonstrate eligibility).
THE GOVERNMENT DOING TOO MUCH FOR HONG KONG?
40. Many Hong Kong people attach very great importance to being
eligible to retain their British national status. Clear as sur ances
have already been provided on this point in the UK Memorandum. This
represents a political commitment which the Government are bound to
uphold.
INCLUDE IN BILL EXPLICIT STATEMENT OF NO RIGHT OF ABODE IN UK?
48. This is quite unnecessary. The UK Memorandum makes it clear
that the new form of nationality will not carry with it the right of
abode in the UK. To include this in legislation would be taken as a gratuitous insult in Hong Kong. Moreover, the powers in the Bill as drafted could not subsequently be used to confer the right of abode in the UK on anybody. [Paragraph 2(2) of the Schedule refers to a
new status, and the Immigration Act 1971 only confers a right of abode on existing categories of persons. Moreover, for the purposes of paragraph 2(3) such a provision would not be "supplementary, transitional or consequential" to the natioality provisions of paragraph 2(1) and (2)].
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