14-JUN-1993 09:27
BJ IND LIVERPOOL
44 051 236 3386
P.01
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RESTRUCTED
that country if they did not wish to remain in Hong Kong. asked what the position of joint British and Chinese nationals Ms Lau would be in similar circumstances to which the Home Secretary indicated that these people would have nowhere else to go and would therefore fall under the terms of the Government's
undertaking.
Cut-off dates for obtaining BNO status
5.
had
The Home Secretary said that he understood the concerns that
been expressed about this issue and consideration he could announce that he agreed in principle that after careful holders of BDTC passports could retain them until 30 June 1997. However, it was essential to lay the Order in Council to ensure the orderly transition from BDTC to BN (0) status straightaway, at the same time as the second Order to ensure that it is made in time for the second tranche of the Nationality Scheme. would not affect the commitment he had given, but he wished to This discuss exactly how this was to be achieved with colleagues in Hong Kong. The obvious options were to allow BN(0)s to hold BDTC and BN (O) passports concurrently or post dating the entry into force of the BN (0) passport.
Wives and widows of ex-servicemen
settlement.
6. The Home Secretary reminded the deputation that the wives and widows
widows may come to the United Kingdom at
Kingdom at any time for As this was the real point of citizenship it was difficult to see what they hoped to achieve by requesting citizenship. Ms Lau said that they were only on 25 in number and to allow them citizenship would be a great comfort. The Home Secretary pointed out that this would require legislation while Mr Rawsthorne said that there was citizenship to a person who was not resident in the United no provision to grant Kingdom. Mr Arculli asked whether the wives and widows could be permitted to come to
to the United Kingdom for a short period, obtain citizenship and then return to Hong Kong. pointed out that there were certain resident requirements which Mr Wardle had to be met and while the Home Secretary had a discretion to waive certain of these requirements, it was not envisaged that he could waive them as suggested by Mr Arculli.
DBarnes
DAVID BARNES
Assistant Private Secretary
Private Office 10 June 1993
TOTAL P.01