To bear in mind for the visit lorifi
Panju1als
Reference: NATbnoprog.dbj
Me Barys to wes,
Miniar
HUD
was
grateful for this dear
explanation.
Mr Ricketts
PS/Mr Goodlad
RESTRICTED
6.J. Dorey it's
Mingar
86
Asists.
From: Deborah Barnes Jones
Hong Kong Department
Date: 12 May 1993
Cc:
Mr Hum
M
Mr Maris
Miss Everett, News
Department
Mr Morris, NTCD Miss Brooks, Legal
Counsellor
- pa 1415.
Yots B-5.
Thanks from me.
BRITISH NATIONALITY, HONG KONG: BNO REGISTRATION PROGRAMME
1.
As requested by PS/Mr Goodlad, I attach a note on the phased registration programme for British Nationals (Overseas) (BNO). An enabling Order in Council (on which NTCD, our departmental Legal Adviser and Hong Kong have advised) is now in the final stages of preparation by the Home Office. We expect that the Home Office (who are responsible for its Parliamentary handling) will lay it by the end of the month.
2. As the note makes clear, LegCo initially accepted the need for the programme but more recently some members (particularly Emily Lau) have mounted a vociferous campaign arguing that the programme will remove the "right" of BDTCs to apply for BN (0) status right up to 30 June 1997. The Governor has now responded to this concern (see Hong Kong telno 740, paragraph 7) by outlining how late applications might be dealt with (by an appeals tribunal).
3.
It seems probable that the LegCo delegation coming to London on 15/16 June to lobby for full British citizenship for ethnic minorities may also seek to lobby on this programme, and Mr Goodlad may be asked about it when he visits Hong Kong. We will provide points to make.
4.
There has been some interest in the UK press. I attach two recent pieces from the Guardian.
no Barnes Jones.
Deborah Barnes Jones
нко забр
RE
27 MA) 1993
Prchalle
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