CONFIDENTIAL
BN (0) NOT AN EFFECTIVE NATIONALITY
10. Not so. Holders of BN (0) status will:
(a)
Be British nationals.
(b)
Have the right of abode in Hong Kong up to 1997, and thereafter
if they have made Hong Kong their permanent home.
(c) Be able to travel on British passports, which should be just as
acceptable as BDTC passports.
(d)
Be eligible for registration as British citizens on the same
terms as BDTCs and other British nationals.
(e)
Be eligible for British consular protection in third countries,
as well 28 in the SAR itself if they are not Chinese nationals.
HOW DOES STATUS DIFFER FROM BDTC?
11. The benefits to be accorded to holders of the proposed BN (0)
status are still under detailed consideration and will of course be
subject to Parliamentary approval. But the Government intend that
they should be broadly the same as those enjoyed by BDTC, except
for transmissibility.
WILL BDTCS LOSE STATUS BEFORE 1997?
12. No.
People who acquire the status of BN (0) before 1997 will be`
entitled to retain their BDTC status until 1 July 1997.
NO RIGHT OF ABODE IN UK FOR BN (0) S
13. Those who are now BDTC became subject to immigration control
under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962. The British Nationality
Act did not affect their immigration status. There is no basis for
granting BDTCs or BN (0) s the right of abode in the UK.
E.
NATIONALITY LEGISLATION
14. Hong Kong Act contains an enabling power for a subsequent order
in Council to amend British Nationality Law. Details of Order now
being considered. Our intention is that Order should be made within a year of passage of Hong Kong Act, i.e. by April 1986.
CONFIDENTIAL