CONFIDENTIAL
Joint Declaration specifies that BN (0) status will be
acquired "only if the hold ...such a ...passport issued
before 1 July 1997". The Hong Kong Government are however also proposing that the Home Secretary have discretion to register late applicants for BN (0) status, in the same way
as for BDTC status (para 6 above). This should lessen the
risk of a successful challenge.
9.
We need to seek clarification from Hong Kong as to how exactly they intend to operate the cut-off dates. There
could be an adverse reaction in Hong Kong if cut-off dates
were implemented too soon after the legislation came into
force as this would not give sufficient time for the first groups to register. Subject to satisfactory resolution of this issue we would need to proceed swiftly to prepare the
Order in Council. The Home Office would be responsible for
taking this through Parliament.
10.
Subject to Ministers' views, the Hong Kong Government
wish to put the scheme to ExCo on 14 July, and then to issue
a press statement explaining the scheme, and emphasising the benefits of applying early. They may well also have to reassure Hong Kong people about the international acceptability of BN (0) passports. There will then be a major publicity campaign once the Order has been passed, setting out the cut-off dates and urging those eligible to apply in good time. All this will be a major call on the manpower resources of HKG over the next five years.
RQ
ނ
Vienett
PF Ricketts
JH4ABQ/4
CONFIDENTIAL