CONFIDENTIAL
1
virtue (wholly or partly)
or partly) of his having a connection with Hong Kong and who, but for his having a connection with Hong Kong, would not
be such a citizen, shall be entitled, on an application for a passport made before the date specified in paragraph (2) below as
being applicable in his case, to, the status of BN (O) on the issue
acquire
し
to him of a passport recording that status."
Cut off date
11. I can see advantages in Hong Kong's proposal in para 6(c) that
the cut off date should be excluded from the Order. However
Ministers have told Parliament that we are to
to deal with nationality
in one Order in Council. If we accept Hong Kong's proposal we chall
have to tell Parliament that there will be two. The Home Office
agree that an escape clause is a good idea, provided we fully comply with the UK Memorandum.
BOCs
12. Hong Kong's proposal in 6(e) is unacceptable. If acquisition of
BOC status was not automatic former BDTCs who had failed to apply
would become stateless. This would conflict with our as sur ances to
Parliament, and put us in breach of the UN Convention
reduction of statelessness.
the
Amendments to Order
13. Para 6(f) is acceptable. The Treasury agree that there should
be no fees. I have copied Miss Veale's minute of 11 February and Mr
Hill's minute of 22 February containing detailed comments on the
Order to the Home Office. I recommend that the Home Office reply to
these in writing rather than at the meeting.
Commonwealth Citizenship
14.
Hong Kong and Peking have said that the Chinese will object
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