g) Sensitive Service Section (SSS)
h)
6,300 places would be available to those who had, in the course of serving Hong Kong or UK interests in either a civilian or military role, been exposed to special considerations and special factors doing their duties.
Many would have already been identified by virtue of their rank, position and area of work and would be invited to submit applications to the Hong Kong Government. If all was in order, the names would be submitted to the Governor for recommendation to the Home Secretary for registration.
Spouses and Children
Spouses and children under 18 of successful applicants would be eligible to seek registration as British citizens and would normally receive it as a matter of course. They would be eligible regardless of whether they lived in Hong Kong or of their nationality. However, if a successful applicant married after ceasing to be settled in Hong Kong, the spouse would not be eligible for British citizenship, nor would one married after 30 June 1997. Children born after registration, or after 30 June 1997, would automatically be British citizens.
WHY EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS ARE INADEQUATE
4.
a)
b)
The Immigration and Nationality Status of Hong Kong People
Until 1962, citizens of every Commonwealth country and territory (including Hong Kong) had an unrestricted right to live and work in Britain. That right was withdrawn by the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962.
The Immigrant Act 1971 distinguished between two classes of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC), some with the right of abode here, others without. Hong Kong CUKCs, apart from those already living in Britain, had no right of abode.
This distinction was confirmed by the British Nationality Act 1981, under which most Hong Kong residents became entitled to British Dependent Territories Citizenship (BDTC) which carried no right of abode in Britain.
There are now about 3.28 million BDTCs living in Hong Kong. A further 2 million people could qualify for BDTC status either now or before 1997.
British Nationality Act 1981, Section 4(5)
This section gives the Home Secretary power to register as a British citizen any British Dependent Territories citizen who has at any time been in paid or unpaid Crown service in a dependent territory. The Home Secretary can do this disregarding the normal rule that someone must be resident in this country for five years before he or she can be considered for citizenship.
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