WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
RIGHT OF ABODE DISCUSSED
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A PERSON BORN IN HONG KONG BEFORE JANUARY 1. 1983, WHO ON OR AFTER THAT DATE RENOUNCES HIS BRITISH NATIONALITY DOES NOT LOSE HIS RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, BUT CONTINUES TO BE A HONG KONG BELONGER, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON D.G. JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY,
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR JEAFFRESON ADDED THAT BRITISH NATIONALITY GENERALLY IN THE HONG KONG CONTEXT MEANS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENSHIP,
+THIS CONSEQUENCE OF RENOUNCING NATIONALITY OR CITIZENSHIP CAN BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE SITUATION BEFORE THIS COUNCIL ENACTED THE IMMIGRATION AMENDMENT (NO. 2) BILL 1982. BEFORE THEN, GENERALLY SPEAKING RENUNCIATION OF NATIONALITY OR CITIZENSHIP ENDED THE RIGHT OF ABODE HERE, HE SAID.
TO HAVE CREATED THIS NEW RIGHT WAS AN OVERSIGHT, HE SAID.
+1 AM AFRAID THAT WE WERE SIMPLY TOO INTENT ON MAKING SURE THAT THERE WERE NO INADVERTENT LOSSES OF RIGHTS UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION AND CONSEQUENTLY THIS ONE WAS ALLOWED TO SLIP PAST UNNOTICED, + HE EXPLAINED.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID LOSS OF RIGHT OF ABODE MUST OBVIOUSLY GO WITH RENUNCIATION OF NATIONALITY OR CITIZENSHIP, AND HE HAD ISSUED DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR A RESOLUTION TO BE MOVED IN THE COUNCIL TO RESTORE THE FORMER LAW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL APPROVED
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THE POWER REQUIRING AN INSURANCE COMPANY TO MAINTAIN ASSETS IN HONG KONG WOULD ONLY BE USED WHEN THE COMPANY SHOWED SIGNS OF FINANCIAL WEAKNESS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON P. JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL 1982, MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT THIS POWER WOULD BE USED TO ENSURE THAT IN A LIQUIDATION, THERE WOULD AT LEAST BE SOME ASSETS AVAILABLE TO MEET THE INSURER'S LIABILITIES IN HONG KONG.
IN THE EXERCISE OF THIS POWER, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS INTENDED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INSURER'S REINSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS, HE SAID. FOR THIS REASON, HE AGREED THAT CLAUSE 29 OF THE BILL SHOULD BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO HAVE REGARD TO SUCH ARRANGEMENTS.
/TO AVOID