i)
an endorsement in the BN (0) passport making clear that the holder could visit here without a visa or entry certificate;
ii)
British citizenship for ex-servicemen;
7.
iii)
British citizenship for those British Dependent Territories citizens
who were not ethnically Chinese andhif they had no other form of
citizenship might risk statelessness after 1997.
None of these requests was easy. Each raised difficult questions about the
size of the commitment we were being asked to take on and how the commitment should
be defined and there was the ever-present problem of entering into a commitment
now which might look very different in 10 or more years time.
8.
Nevertheless, we wanted to be helpful and recognised the importance of showing
that we were prepared to listen to and respond to the views of the Legislative
Council, and of course Parliament. So we have met two of the three requests. Frankly, Hong Kong attached greatest importance to the endorsement, and they
recognise the value of what we have done for them there.
9. The ethnic minority problem is difficult. We recognised the emotional force
of the arguments in favour of giving British citizenship. But the danger of giving
an uncertain commitment is too great. And the reality is that it is not needed.
10.
The facts are these:
i)
ii)
every Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizen will have the right
to be a British National (Overseas);
if any does not apply for any reason, and has no other nationality, he
will automatically be a British Overseas citizen; and the children and
grandchildren of former British Dependent Territories citizens facing
statelessness will also be able to be British Overseas citizens;
iii)
so there is no question of any Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizen becoming stateless (even for one day!) and we have also given
firm commitments to future generations.
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