EFFOCL
not quite and Chas
ight-
3.
(e)
(£)
many BDTCs do not wish to apply for BN(0) passports early and would like to maintain the status quo until the last moment just in case there is a change in British nationality policy; a person registered as a BN(0) does not have to be in physical possession of
BN(0) passport for that status to continue after the change in sovereignty;
there are other solutions to the problem, such as -
(i)
calling for registration as BN(0)s first and issuing BN (0) passports later;
(ii) letting registered BN (0)s hold BDTC and BN (0) BN(0)
passports concurrently, with the BN(0) passport becoming valid only on 1 July 1997; and
(iii) setting different fees for early and late
applications for BN (0) passports..
They have complained that the programme has been put together in great secrecy and without consultation with
LegCo and also that they have not had the opportunity to see the draft Order.
They were concerned additionally about the system for deciding on applications received after the relevant cut-
off dates but the Governor's decision to institute an
appeal panel which would include two legislative councillors seems to have assuaged them on this point.
Points to make
(a)
Removal of rights The Government does not agree that the phased programme deprives BDTCs of any rights; it is only the BDTC passport that registered BN(O)s would have to give up (if indeed they have to give it up see section 4 below); they retain all other rights as BDTCS until 30 June 1997. Since the BN(0) passport is
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