key people in the public and private sectors of the community the confidence to remain in Hong Kong. These
measures took the form of the British Nationality (Hong
Kong) Act 1990, which was given Royal Assent on 27 July. Under this scheme full British citizen passports will be
offered to a maximum of 50,000 heads of household both in
the public and private sectors, without the beneficiaries
having to leave the territory. The deadline for
applications for the first tranche of passports was 28
February. Over 65,000 applications were received for the
43,250 places available, an oversubscription of more than 50%. It is hoped to begin issuing the passports to successful applicants in the summer. The remaining places, the second tranche, will be issued later, nearer 1997, to
enable those who have by then moved into key positions to
apply.
16. The Act has been welcomed by the people of Hong Kong but the Chinese Government have made a number of unhelpful
statements. They claim that it is a violation of the Joint
Declaration and a device to maintain British influence after
1997. We hope that in time the Chinese will come to
recognise the Act as a sincere contribution to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.
17. As well as the nationality scheme Britain has also taken every opportunity to encourage our partners and allies, especially those with close economic and social ties
with Hong Kong, to consider taking similar measures. The results so far have been encouraging and some countries, including Singapore, the USA, France, the FRG, Belgium and Luxembourg, have already found ways in which to help.
Hong Kong Department
18 April 1991
CC6AAT/6