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*** OUR REF!

(21) in SBCR 4/2091/84 Pt 32

* YOUR Rɛr :

FCO

(Attn: Mr John Woodrow)

Dear John,

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

H2IG KONG

15 July 1992

Ihr Wrow,

7/6

Copied to Legal Advis

д'но for-

their

Commente

pho

Registration of HIBDTCƐ and BN(0) s

Many thanks for your fax of 30 June enclosing

Shelagh Brooks's comments.

2.

We do not

I think it will help if I summarize our proposals. The phased programme in to cope with existing BDTCS. The 1993 start (a yea: later than we would have

As it is, the liked) is to ensure a manageable workload. additional work will entail substantial extra rescurces. If we leave it longer, we will neel even more. want to spend public money in this way unless we re reasonably sure of achieving our objective of preventing an unmanageable rush in 1996/97. That is why we propose that the end of each phase of the programme should be the cut-off date for the age group in question (see paragraph 5(d) below on age grouping). If it were not, then there is a risk that significant numbers would ignore the phased programme and we would still face a last-minute rish.

3.

Many new residents will become eligible for BDTC-ship (by meeting the residency requirements) after the "phase" for their age group. Clearly, it would be unfair to stop them obtaining BN (C) passports on chat account. And we accept that some existing BDTCS :.11, for good reasons, be unable to apply curing their 'phase'. Therefore, we need the flexibility - the "escape clause" to ensure that people in these situations are not unfairly deprived. Ideally, therefore, the Legislation should empower the Governor to impose such cut-off dates as he sees fit. This would avoid the need to clutter the legislation with the detailed programme (which may be out of date by the time the legislation goes through). However, I understand that this may present legal difficulties. If it does, the phased programme cates could, perhaps, form a schedule to the Order.

We want it

to be easy for new BDTCS to get B11(0) passports cutside the phased programme. But existing BDTCS should have to demonstrate good reasons for missing their turn.

'4.

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