CONFIDENTIAL
Action
Progress of Applications Received under the SSC (Paper No. SC 2/91)
6.
Members noted the progress of applications received under the SSC as set out in Paper No. SC 2/91. They were informed that applications under SSC were mostly by invitation, but members of the public could also put forward their cases for consideration. Immigration Department would pick out applications (irrespective of the Class in which they were submitted) where a claim for special consideration had been made under section 27 "Other Considerations" of the application form and refer them to the Security Branch. A special panel had been set up within the Branch to consider such cases. It was agreed that a paper showing the breakdown of the SSC should be prepared.
Any Other Business
1.
The following aspects of the scheme were discussed/agreed -
a) It was felt that it would be desirable at an appropriate time to give an assurance to civil servants confirming that their prospects would not be affected by their decision to apply for British citizenship under the scheme or otherwise, following clarification of Mr. Lu Ping's remarks with the PRC.
b)
On the question of whether the definition of "Hong Kong Government" could be extended to cover corporations like MTRC and KCRC, legal advice was that a "public officer" was defined in the Interpretation & General Clause Ordinance as " any person holding an office of emolument under the Crown in right of the Government of Hong Kong". A "public officer" would not therefore include those serving with the MTRC or the KCRC.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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