In
of a connection with Hong Kong on 30 June 1997 may acquire it.
addition the status in question will be held only by those people
who will have acquired a passport which shows them as holding that
status before 1 July 1997 (or 31 December 1997 if born in the first
six months of that year).
6.
The Hong Kong Act set out the framework within which the Order
in Council will fit. It provides that BDT citizenship cannot be
retained or acquired on or after 1 July 1997 by virtue of a
connection with Hong Kong, and that BDTCs by virtue of any such
connection may before that date (or before 31 December 1997 if born
in the first six months of that year) acquire a new form of British
nationality. The holders of the new nationality will be known as
British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(0)). The Act also provides for the
Order to:
specify cut-off dates for receipt of applications for BN (0)
status;
provide that the new status may be held on or after 1 July
1997 only by people who are BDTCs on 30 June 1997;
make provision for the avoidance of statelessness; and
make such other consequent provisions as may be necessary for
the purpose of the Order, including provisions amending the
British Nationality Act 1981 and any other enactment.
7. The annexed draft Order in Council has been prepared to accord
with this pre-existing structure. Outside the scope of the Order
are the detailed arrangements that will be made for the issue,
renewal and replacement of BN (0) passports. These matters are being
pursued separately with the Government of Hong Kong.