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Extracted from Draft Speach by Dr Hon HO Kam-fai, OBE, JP Legislative Council 27.11.85
POLICY DEBATE - 1985
British National (Overseas) Paasporta
The White Paper on the Draft Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, published over a month ago, has drawn considerable comments from the public. Not only does it spell out the necessary amendments which have to be made to a number of related pieces of legislation in the United Kingdom regarding the provision of a new British status for Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizens after 30 June 1997, it also demonstrates Her Majesty's Government's commitment to the faithful implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Sir, this important document merits in-depth examination and I am pleased to learn that an opportunity has been arranged for members of this Council to debate it on 4 December 1985.
Leaving the technical aspects of the British National (Overseas) passports to the scheduled debate, I would, nevertheless, like to raise a point, of practical significance thin afternoon.
The Draft Order-in-Council annexed to the White Paper 1s a rather complex and technical subject for the ordinary men in the street, and it will come into effect on 1 July 1987 after going through the necessary legislative process. By then, the new British National (Overseas) passports will be available to those eligible Hong Kong residents, that is those who are holding existing but expiring British Dependent Territories citizen passports or those who are entitled to apply for a British passport for the first time. To the travelling public who are eligible for the new British status,, they have yet to be convinced that the new British National (Overseas) passport could afford the same degree of, if not more, convenience and benefit of travel an the alternative British Dependent Territories citizen passport which they would still be entitled to between now and 30 June 1997. Much has been said as regards why the Government wants to issue the passport well in advance, but it is equally important,