CONFIDENTIAL
make such other consequential provisions as may be
necessary for the purpose of the Order, including provisions amending the British Nationality Act 1981
and any other enactment.
The annexed draft Order in Council has been prepared within this
framework.
7. Once the Order in Council has been finally approved by
Parliament, arrangements will be made for those qualified to become
BN(0)s to apply for that status together with the passports in which
it will be recorded. Since British passports are issued under the
prerogative the detailed arrangements that will be made for the
issue, renewal and replacement of BN(0) passports are outside the
scope of the Order. So too are the regulations that will govern the
machinery for dealing with applications for BN(0) status. These
matters are being pursued separately with the Government of Hong
Kong.
Commentary on the provisions in the draft Order
Title, commencement and extent.
Citation
8.
Article 1 sets out the title and commencement date of the Order
and ensures that it forms part of the law of Northern Ireland, the
Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Dependent Territories.
Commencement should be no later than 1 July 1987 in order to enable
passports recording BN (0) status to be issued on or after that date
with the standard 10 year validity (those recording only BDTC status
could not be made valid beyond 30 June 1997). This arrangement will
also give maximum time for the issuing authorities to cope with
applications for BN (0) passports; and also to give time for third
countries to grow accustomed to the new natonality status.
Connections with Hong Kong
within
9. Articles 2 and 3 fall to be considered with the provisions of
paragraph 2(1)(a) of the Schedule to the Act. Article 2 identifies
BDTCs who are such by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong and who
will therefore lose their BDTC status on 1 July 1997 and be entitled
to acquire BN (0) status.