forts with 21 other governments have helped to secure 4, 200 ther resettlement places this year, in addition to our own commitment.
new
centre
Recently announced contribution of up to £6 million to reimburse Hong Kong Government for costs of construction of new refugee at Pillar Point. This will be an open centre, managed under auspices of UNHCR.
NATIONALITY/PASSPORTS
3.28 million Hong Kong people are eligible for British passports and many have applied for them Vast majority of people born or naturalised in Hong Kong are entitled to status of British Dependent Territory Citizens (BDTCs).
New status of British Nationals (Overseas) created in 1986 because Hong Kong will cease to be British dependent territory in 1997. Those born in Hong Kong after 1997 will no longer be able to acquire British nationality. But all BDTCs will be able to preserve their link with Britain by applying for BN (0) status before 1997. BN (0) status will carry benefits similar to those enjoyed by Hong Kong BDTCs but will not be transmissi ble to later generations.
Holders of BDTC/BN (0) passports do not require visas or entry certificates to enter UK as visitors and are entitled to British consular protection when travelling overseas. This will continue after 1997. But they are subject to British immigration control and have no automatic right of abode in this country.
Present nationality and immigration status of Hong Kong BDTCS/BN(0)s reflects worldwide nationality and immigration policies of successive British Governments since early 1960s. Result of fact, acknowledged by all parties at the time, that we were no longer able to proclaim common imperial citizenship and grant citizens of our colonies and former colonies automatic right of abode in this country. In contrast to countries such as United States, Canada, Australia, which have long encouraged immigration for settlement, our policy has generally been to seek to restrict immigration, for reasons which have been accepted by successive governments of different parties.
Would not be realistic to present to Parliament proposals for wholesale changes to the law, giving 3.28 million Hong Kong BDTCS/BN (0)s right of abode in UK. This would be well over S1x times total number of people granted full British citizenship in ten year period 1977-1987. Would not command sufficient political support or be acceptable to public at large.
Unlike our own,
No comparison with situation in Macao. nationality law of Portugal has always given Portuguese nationals in Portuguese overseas territories right of abode in Portugal. Fact that Portuguese nationals in Macao have recently begun to be issued with passports in common EC format does not reflect any change in their nationality status.