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negative points for those aged 60 and above. There is a small group of top businessmen whose inclusion is essential to the credibility and effectiveness of the scheme. Because some of these would be effectively disqualified because of the operation of the age handicap there will be a discretion for the Governor to disapply this factor in cases of distinguished service to Hong
Kong.
Procedures
11.
Applications will be submitted by post to the Governor by a date to be specified by the Secretary of State. The Steering Group will decide for each group the criteria for which special circumstances points will be awarded. The forms will be examined by members of the Hong Kong Immigration Department (HKD) and points awarded for each of the criteria listed in paragraphs 8- 9 above. The information on all candidates in each occupational category will be entered into a computer system and a profile produced showing the candidates in order of points scored. This will be examined by the Steering Group who will then give instructions as to any adjustment which may be needed in the allocation of the special circumstances points to take account of the particular range of applicants and the need to resolve problems of 'bunching'. After the award of these points, a revised ranking of candidates will be produced. Taking account of the numbe: of places available within the category, HKCD will then produce a list of those candidates who appear to be qualified and those who seem likely to be rejected. These two lists will be submitted to the Steering Group for approval.
12. Those candidates who appear prima facie to be qualified will be interviewed by HKID in order to verify the information on their application forms. A check will also be made to ensure that the candidates are of good
character.
13. Subject to satisfactory completion of these checks, the names of the qualified candidates will be put forward to the Steering Group and thence to the Governor who, if satisfied, will recommend them to the Secretary of State for registration as British citizens. Where any candidate fails to satisfy these checks, the next candidate in order of points ranking will be interviewed, and similar checks as to character will be carried out. IS successful, he or she will be recommended for registration. The names of candidates with insufficient points, and those who fail to satisfy the character checks, will be recommended to the Governor for rejection.
14. In the event that a number of candidates score equal points and all cannot be accommodated within the places available for each group,
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the