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delegation to correct various misapprehensions about the future nationality status of these people. The community would not become stateless after 1997 but would retain British nationality. So would their children and their grandchildren if they would otherwise be
stateless. This was a reasonable provision (even British citizenship was not normally transmissible beyond the first two generations born in Hong Kong). This community's entitlement to British Consular protection would continue, whichever form of British Nationality they might have, and would extend to the future SAR. Their future right of abode in Hong Kong was secured. Members of this community were eligible to apply for British citizenship under the British Nationality Scheme. In answer to a question, Mr. Goodlad confirmed that the Hong Kong Government had supported LegCo's request that they be given British citizenship.
4.
The delegation claimed that the undertaking which Mr Goodlad had given represented a narrowing down of previous undertakings which had purportedly applied more widely than to the ethnic community. Mr Goodlad emphasised that he was referring exclusively to the ethnic minority community. The delegation added that it was difficult for the ethnic minorities to know quite what they could count on. The vagueness of the undertaking undermined the confidence of the community in their British Nationality and in their future. The delegation speculated on the Chinese attitude to the community. Hum (AUS) pointed out
that Chinese spokesmen had set out to reassure the
the ethnic minority of their continued welcome in Hong Kong.
5.
The delegation asked a number of questions about what would happen when the undertaking was put to the test (eg with immigration officials at British ports of entry) and requested clarification of any administrative measures under consideration in fulfilment of the undertaking. The example of a letter for immigration officials now available for the wives of British citizens was quoted. On consular protection, how would the ethnic community be recognised by British consular staff (who would have to differentiate between them and other BN (0)s with Chinese nationality)?
BN (0)
who
6. Mr Goodlad said that it was essential that all BDTCs wanted BN (0) passports should be guaranteed them before the power for issue ceased on 1 July 1997. The phased programme was the
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