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Hong Kong during the Second World War, irrespective of the husband's nationality. This is a small group (a few dozen) and their call to be granted British citizenship without having to travel to the UK generates considerable sympathy for their cause in Hong Kong.
11. As further reassurance, the Government has introduced arrangements which enable the spouses to be registered with the Immigration Department in Hong Kong; any subsequent application for entry clearance can be processed very quickly indeed.
12. The Hong Kong Government told Jimmy McGregor in November that they would ask HMG to look again at the case for exemption for this group. We have asked the Home Office at official level to consider HKG's proposals. But since new primary legislation would be necessary, it seems unlikely that the Home Office will be able to do more.
(C)
13.
Registration of Children of "Split" Families
A number of British citizen parents in Hong Kong may transmit their citizenship to children born in Hong Kong on or after 1.1.1983 (when the British Nationality Act 1981 came into force) but are not able to transmit the citizenship to children born in Hong Kong before that date. The Home Secretary agreed last September to look "generously and speedily" at applications from families in this anomolous position. 112 applications out of 190 received so far have been successful. None have been refused.
(D)
14.
British Nationality Scheme
Established by the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990 to give British citizenship to 50,000 key people in the private and public sectors in Hong Kong. 20,980 Principal Beneficiaries have been registered up to mid January, plus 36,682 dependants (total of 57,662). Average family size is 2.75. Target for registration under first tranche is about 39,500 Principal Beneficiaries, the remaining 10,500 to be allocated under the second tranche due to open early 1994.
15. There will be some adjustments for the second tranche which will be covered by an Order in Council. Home Office have yet to submit on the details. The aim is to correct problems of under-subscription and under-representation identified during the first tranche. The changes will allow for places to be transferred within classes. New quotas for individual groups would take into account both their emigration rate and their application rate in the first tranche.
16.
Ms Lau has complained that fewer people (under 225,000)
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