Mr Hayward Mr Rooney/ Mr Ronchetti
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CONFIDENTIAL
Referenc
NTP 3 4 3/393126
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NMW 340/395/2
ARRANGEMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS (BDTCS) AS BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS) (BN (0) s)
1.
さて
Mr Ricketts' submission of 3 July refers.
2.
I have spoken to Mr Morris in Hong Kong Department and it would appear that no one here was consulted. I have established that any order-in-a-Council setting cut-off dates for applications for registration or naturalisation as BDTCs through a connection with Hong Kong or acquisition of BN (0) status by the issue of a BN (0) passport will not only apply in Hong Kong but also to our posts overseas. We shall therefore need to keep our posts fully informed and to decide what publicity they should be given to these cut-off dates at posts where there are large numbers of persons connected with Hong Kong, and also where the funds for such publicity should come from.
3.
Our posts will need to comply strictly with the cut-off dates for BDTC applications and given guidance on how to deal with applicants who believe they have a good reason for missing the relevant cut-off date.
4.
With regard to the cut-off date for applications for BN (0) status, ie issue of a British passport showing the holder as a BN (0), I hope that it will be possible for our posts overseas to be given a blanket discretion to accept applications after the relevant cut-off dates. Since our posts overseas are not subject to the same pressures of numbers as in Hong Kong itself, I believe that such a dispensation would be sensible. Otherwise, all such applications would have to be referred to the Home Office. I can, however, see that there might be a problem since all such late applications should be treated equally under the law regardless of whether they are made in Hong Kong, in the United Kingdom or at one of our overseas posts. Nevertheless, I hope someway may be found round a measure which is designed primarily to deal with the circumstances in Hong Kong and will only cause difficulties for our posts overseas.
5. The imposition of cut-off dates will in itself create difficulties for some of our posts overseas, in particular those who have large numbers of persons connected with Hong Kong such as Washington, Ottawa etc who are already hard pressed. We shall need to give them and all our overseas posts as much advanced notice as possible so that they can report back on any staffing implications.
6.
Mr Morris
CODE 18-77
u/c
CONFIDENTIAL