[NRIAHN]
RESTRICTED
NATIONALIT
HKK
LÜR.VII, IN REGISTRY
24 SEP 1985
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OLLEGE!
LADY YOUNG'S SPEECH TO THE INDIAN DEFENCE COLLEGE:
SUPPLEMENTARIES: HONG KONG
Statelessness in General
1. Ministers have made clear there is no question of any
British Dependent Territories' citizens being left stateless as
a result of the agreement.
The Indian community in Hong Kong
2.
Recognise the valuable contribution of the Indian community
in Hong Kong to the territory. We have taken steps to ensure
that the 6000 or so Indian BDTCs in Hong Kong will not become
stateless as a result of the agreement on the future of Hong
Kong.
3. BDTCs in Hong Kong will be able to acquire a
acquire a new form of
British nationality before 1 July 1997, known as British
National (Overseas). If they do not acquire this status, and
would otherwise be stateless, they will automatically become
British Overseas citizens. Their children, if they would at
birth otherwise be stateless, will be British Overseas
citizens, and their grandchildren will be entitled to be
registered as BOCs if born stateless. This takes us to the
middle of the 21st century.
Right of Abode
4.
Majority of Indian community in Hong Kong have been
resident for at least 7 years and will therefore have right of abode in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after 1 July
1997.
RESTRICTED
Hong Kong Department
16 September 1985