Sir,
NATIONALITY / HIC BILL
Speech by the Chief Secretary, Sir Philip WP HUK 040/4
Haddon-Cave, in the Adjournment Debate in
the Legislative Council on 6 February 1985
I have
listened with great care and
I note Mr Andrew So's
interest to this debate. expression of support for the broad principles of the nationality provisions in the Hong Kong Bill
which
is under consideration in the British
Parliament. I understand that this reflects the
general support from Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils.
2
I also sense a general
acceptance by
Members of this Council of the title "British
National (Overseas)" proposed for the new status which is to be acquired by British Dependent
Territories citizens connected with Hong Kong and then retained by them after 1997, in accordance with
the United Kingdom Memorandum associated with the
Sino- British Joint Declaration.
3
is
But I note that this support and acceptance not wholly unqualified. A central theme which
has emerged from this debate is that everything possible should be done to ensure that the
the future
British National (Overseas) passports are accepted by the immigration authorities of third countries, an extent which would provide their holders with at least the same degree of freedom of entry as they
to