Background
Mr Jack Ashley MP asked two questions on Hong Kong in July this year
(Hansard extracts attached).
This question is aimed at determining if HMG has or will inform the
Chinese Government of the number of British Citizens passports which
might be used if the scheme that is being worked out takes the form of a citizenship package. This package has, of course, not yet been finalised.
However the majority of people (3.28 million) in Hong Kong already hold or are entitled to hold British Dependent Territories Citizen
passports and quite a number of others (estimated at 2 million) may qualify for registration for such citizenship before 1997.
After 1997 these BDTCs, if they apply, will be entitled to hold British National (overseas) passports and these will be valid for travel and will continue to be issued in Hong Kong after 1997. This
is covered under the terms of the memoranda annexed to the Sino
British Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong.
FAYAKR(3)