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under the Government of the UK can be granted British
citizenship if they do not meet the normal requirements
for citizenship. It is not of course possible to indicate
in advance what the outcome of any application under section
4(5) would be, but the Government is committed to using
the power very sparingly and granting British citizenship only to those who have given outstanding service. It would
be necessary to take these factors fully into account in
fairness to other ex-servicemen throughout the world.
I believe therefore that the proposals in the draft Order
taken together with the guarantees given in the agreement go as far as we sensibly can in ensuring that all British Dependent Territories citizens resident in Hong Kong regardles of their background, ethnic origin or future citizenship status are ensured of a satisfactory and secure future there and that the provisions are fair as between them all. But
I shall listen with interest and sympathy to the views of the House and would certainly wish to consider very carefully any suggestions for overcoming the very real difficulties
I have outlined in meeting the requests made in the
recent letter endorsed by the Legislative Council.
I would like to turn now to a matter which, while it does not
come directly within the terms of the draft Order is
nevertheless closely linked with it. That is the detailed
arrangements which we propose to follow in issuing passports
to British Nationals (Overseas) once the Order comes into
effect.
/We