CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT OF MR SAINSBURY TO HONG KONG, 22-26 SEPTEMBER
HONG KONG ISSUES
NATIONALITY
References
A Statement by the Secretary of State in the House of
Commons on 20 December 1989
B
C
Statements by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of
State in the Second Reading Debate on the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill on 19 April
Copy of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act
Background
1.
In order to help restore confidence and reduce the
rising emigration rate in Hong Kong, following the events in
Tiananmen Square in June 1989, the Government introduced the
British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill on 4 April 1990. It
received Royal Assent on 26 July. It provides for the grant of British citizenship to 50,000 key personnel from the
private and public sectors (on a ratio of about 2:1) and to their spouses and children under 18.
2. The Selection Scheme will be set out in an Order in
Council to be tabled when Parliament resumes in October.
The Scheme will operate in two tranches. The first tranche,
some 87% of the places, will commence as soon as the order in Council is approved. The Hong Kong Government hopes to
begin issuing the first passports by late spring or early
summer 1991. The second tranche will be reserved for
allocation closer to 1997 to cater for those who would by
then have moved into key positions.
Policy Implications and Problems
DAWAEQ/2
CONFIDENTIAL