35. Unlike heads of households, spouses and children would be eligible regardless of whether they were settled in Hong Kong or of their nationality. However, where a head of household Contracted a marriage after ceasing to be settled in Hong Kong the spouse would not be eligible for British citizenship under the Bill; nor would a spouse married after 30 June 1997.

36.

Children born after

born after the registration of the head of household, including those born after 30 June 1997, would be British citizens automatically. (This includes children born to couples where the spouse was not a British citizen.)

Responsibility for Registration

37. The registration of successful applicants recommended to the Home Secretary for citizenship, and any subsequent issue of British passports, would be supervised by a small team of UK officials based in Hong Kong and acting on the Home Secretary's behalf. Any necessary support staff would be provided by the

Hong Kong Government.

Funding

38. The Scheme would be self-financing from application fees charged by the Hong Kong Government for consideration under the

Scheme and from fees charged for the registration of successful

applicants. Any costs incurred by the small team of UK officials

mentioned above would be reimbursed by the Hong Kong Government

to Her Majesty's Government.

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