PROGRAMME FOR THE PHASED REGISTRATION OF BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS AS BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS)
6.
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The proposed Hong Kong British Nationality (Amendment) Order 1993 prescribes cut-off dates (by age group) for the acquisition of British National (Overseas) (BNO) status which will replace that of British Dependent Territory Citizens
(BDTC) after 1997. The first cut-off date (for 22 - 26 year olds) would come into effect in the Autumn of 1993. The Phased Registration Programme represents an administrative solution to an administrative problem.
7. The problem arises because under the terms of the Joint Declaration, registration of BN (0) citizens must end on 30 June 1997 (except for children born in 1997 for whom there are special arrangements). Up to 3.5 million Hong Kong people will be eligible to register as BNOS before 1997. Under 500,000 have applied to date. If millions of applications were made close to 1997, Hong Kong Immigration Department would not physically be able to register all the applicants before their power to do so ceases on 1 July 1997. It was against this background that we decided to introduce a programme to phase the registration by means of prescribed cut-off dates. This is a familiar mechanism in Hong Kong, used for the orderly issue of identity cards. The Governor would have discretion to accept late applications. HMG took this decision after close consultation with the Hong Kong Government. The Executive Council of the Hong Kong Government has twice endorsed the programme, most recently on 4 May. Provision for the programme would need to be made by Order in Council which must be passed before the end of this legislative session.
8. The implementation of the programme will guarantee that all those BDTCs wish to apply will receive BNO passports before 1 July 1997. Both HMG and the Hong Kong Government consider that it would be irresponsible not to take steps to ensure that the practical arrangements are made to discharge efficiently our responsibility to applicants for BN (0) passports.
9. There is in no sense a "hidden agenda" or any attempt to keep LegCo in the dark. (LegCo members were for instance unhappy that the Hong Kong Government could not, for procedural reasons, give them a copy of the draft Order before it is laid before Parliament - but they have been told in detail what the draft contains). Hong Kong Government have already embarked on a programme to publicise the scheme and to encourage those eligible to come forward to register. This will be stepped up once Parliament approves the Order in Council.
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