RESTRICTED
HKD 34576.
(56)
(and to argue against a phased registration programme with
legally enforceable cut-off dates for registering British
Dependent Territory citizens as British Nationals (Overseas)).
On the advice of HKG, we and the Home Office have agreed that a formal response to the LegCo request should issue only after the delegation's visit. (So far the Home Office indicated to us that they see no prospect of changing their present position that the position post-1997 of this community is adequately protected by arrangements already in place).
4. Mr Goodlad undertook during his recent visit to Hong Kong to write to LegCo to update them on the position of "split
families". These are the 150 or so families where British
citizen parents are unable to transmit citizenship to children
born in Hong Kong before 1/1/1983 but can do so to children
born after that date due to provisions of the British
Nationality Act 1981. The Home Secretary agreed last
September to look "generously and speedily" at applications
from families in this anomalous position. I see advantage in
the Minister writing now, in order to be able to pass at least one piece of good news to the delegation.
Aboah Bannes Dues
Deborah Barnes Jones
sub.ethnic.NAT
JEB
Родым
RESTRICTED