10.06
93 12:19
071 233 8498
LEGCO LONDON
002
Press Release
Legislative Councillors have secured a guarantee from the British Government that Hong Kong EDTC passport holders will not be compelled to surrender their passports before 1997.
This decision which was announced today might mean that Hong Kong British citizens would, in fact, be able to hold two passports simultaneously, depending on talks to be held with Hong Kong officials
British Home Secretary Michael Howard today told the Legislative Council delegation now in London that the UK Government had recently reviewed their original plans on the procedure for transfering BDTC passports to BN (0) passports, and that a different scheme could be successfully implemented taking into account concerns expressed by the Legislative Council.
Under this new scheme BDTC passport holders still would be required to apply for BN (0) passports over a phased period. And late applications would be allowed under special circumstances.
Under the original proposal applicants would have to surrender their BDTC passport on issue of a BN (0) passport.
He could not specify at this stage whether BN (0) passports approved under the new scheme would be immediately valid.
In announcing his decision to the Legislative Council delegation, Mr Howard said the Government were normally very reluctant to envisage some of the solutions by which Hong Kong people's "genuine concerns" could be relieved.
"I have reconsidered,
17 he told them.
Mr Howard went on: "We agree in principle to retain the BDTC until June 1997."
An Order in Council will be tabled in Parliament tomorrow (Thursday).