CONFIDENTIAL
XCC(92)187
(d)
publicity should be relatively "low-key" but adequate
to ensure that all eligible people are aware of these arrangements.
Members will be asked to advise whether this recommendation should be approved.
BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT
3
The Chinese and British memoranda on the Joint Declaration (JD 225 to 235: Annex A), record the understanding that Hong Kong BDTCs will lose that status on 1 July 1997. But they would be eligible to retain "an appropriate status" now known as "British National (Overseas)" - if they held or were included in passports [i.e. BN(O) passports] issued by HMG before that date. The new status would not confer a right of abode in the UK. But the new passports could be used for travel to and from other countries.
4
The understanding was implemented by the Hong Kong Act 1985 and the subsequent Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986. The latter provides that the status of Hong Kong BDTC will end on 1 July 1997. Hong Kong BDTCs may acquire BN(O) status before that date. Children born in 1997 before 1 July may be registered before the end of the year. Otherwise, nobody may be registered as a BN(O) after 30 June 1997.
5
We estimate that some 3.3 million Hong Kong BDTCs are or will be eligible for BN(O) status before 1 July 1997(1)*. At present, there are some 1.7 million BDTC passports in circulation. Of these, one million are due to expire in 1996/97. Most of their holders will not seek renewal before then unless obliged to do so.
*Note (1) This figure includes 1.7 million BDTC passport holders and 1.6 million non-passport holders. They are all potential registrants in the phased registration programme,
Executive Council