A further indication of our commitment to Hong Kong is the British Nationality Act which is to grant British citizenship to 50,000 key people in the territory, and their dependents. We see this as a very important contribution in trying to stem the outflow of talent from the territory by giving them the assurances they need to remain in Hong Kong, where they can continue to contribute to the prosperity of the community as a whole.
We hope that the first passports will be issued in Hong Kong by the Spring of 1991.