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They wanted to be assured that it would be internationally
acceptable as a travel document, and that its holder would
enjoy the same rights of access to other countries as those
holding British Dependent Territory passports. And they asked
that the new passport should say that the holder did not need
entry clearance to enter the UK. Members also supported the
request by the non-ethnic Chinese minority in Hong Kong and
by some former servicemen to be granted British citizenship
rather than British National (Overseas) status or British
Overseas citizenship. I shall respond to these points
in a few minutes. But I think it would be for the convenience
of the House if I first said a few words in explanation
of the draft Order.
I should like to make it clear at the outset that the Order can,
by definition, affect only those people who are British
Dependent Territories citizens by virtue of a connection
with Hong Kong. It cannot therefore affect anyone who is
not a British Dependent Territories citizen, or whose
citizenship can be derived wholly from a connection with
another dependent territory. But it is not sufficient
simply to refer in the Order to "a connection with Hong Kong"
without defining what such a connection may be. Article 2
of the draft Order provides that definition.
It sets out
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