The Order also makes certain nomenclature amendments
to the British Nationality Act 1981 to incorporate the
category of British National (Overseas) into existing
nationality law. Where provisions using the existing or
previous titles of categories of British nationals occur
in, or in association with, international agreements or
arrangements to which the United Kingdom or Her Majesty's
Government are a party, Her Majesty's Government intend
with effect from 1 July 1987 to interpret those provisions
in the light of the provisions of the Order, Articles 3 and
4 of which are particularly relevant.
Her Majesty's
Government will proceed on the assumption that other
parties to such agreements or arrangements will follow the
same practice.
Her Majesty's Government intend to commence issuing
British passports showing the status of British National
(Overseas) from 1 July 1987
1987 to qualified applicants. Her
Majesty's Government ask that the Governments of the
countries to whose Missions this Note is addressed afford
British Nationals (Overseas) the same facilities for access
and travel which are currently enjoyed by holders of
British passports showing the national status of British Dependent Territories citizen.
British Nationals (Overseas) will have the same
guaranteed returnability to Hong Kong both before and after 1 July 1997 as British Dependent Territories citizens from
the territory now have. This will be made clear by the
inclusion of an endorsement, the wording of which has been
agreed with the Chinese Government, in the passports issued
to them. The endorsement will read:
"The holder of this passport has Hong Kong
permanent identity card number (xyz) which
states that the holder has the right of abode in
Hong Kong.
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