WILL THE ENDORSEMENT LEAD TO
INCREASED IMMIGRATION HERE?
WILL THE ENDORSEMENT MAKE
THE BN(0) MORE ACCEPTABLE
TO THIRD COUNTRIES?
No, sir. Visitors from Hong Kong are very welcome,
but like BDTCs, BN(0)s will have no right of abode
here and will have to qualify under the Immigration
Rules if they wish to settle here. BN(0)s will
have right of abode in Hong Kong in accordance
with the Agreement.
I recognize this was a strong view in Hong Kong.
Once the Order is made, the Government will have
detailed discussions with other countries to ensure
they fully understand the nature of the BN(0)
passport. We have every reason to believe it will
be acceptable.
NATIONALITY ORDER
DEFER LAYING THE ORDER?
TIMING?
This matter has been extensively discussed both
here and in Hong Kong. We must now put the nationali
arrangements in place without further delay so
that uncertainty can be ended and detailed planning
can continue. The matter will no doubt be discussed
in Hong Kong over the next few weeks. The Order
itself will be debated in both Houses, I hope before
too long.
I hope to lay the Order in the next few days.
Its terms will be the same as those attached to
the White Paper. The exact timing of the debates
is not a matter for me.