XN000022-1985-10-17 — Page 6

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1985

WORK IS UNDERWAY TO PRODUCE APPLICATION FORM FOR BN(0) PASSPORTS AND EXPLANATORY LEAFLETS. THESE WILL SET OUT THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO HONG KONG BDTC'S. THEY WILL ALSO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THOSE WHO WISH TO OBTAIN BN(0) STATUS MUST HOLD OR BE INCLUDED IN A BN(0) PASSPORT ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1997 (EXCEPT FOR THOSE BORN ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1997 BUT BEFORE JULY 1, 1997 WHO MAY OBTAIN OR BE INCLUDED IN SUCH A PASSPORT UP TO DECEMBER 31, 1997).

T WILL BE OPEN TO PEOPLE TO APPLY FOR THE IR FIRST BN(0) PASSPORTS FROM JULY 1, 1987.

1987. BDTC(HK) PASSPORTS FOR THOSE WHO WISH FOR THEM WILL BE ISSUED WITH VALIDITY RESTRICTED TO JUNE 30, 1997. IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO HOLD BN(0) AND BDTC PASSPORTS SIMULTANEOUSLY. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981, A PERSON WHO HOLDS A BN(0) PASSPORT RETAINS HIS BDTC STATUS UNTIL JUNE 30, 1997, UNLESS HE RENOUNCES OR IS DEPRIVED OF THAT STATUS BEFORE THAT DATE.

SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION

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THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD ON OCTOBER 17, 1985. THE TWO SIDES REACHED AGREEMENT ON THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING FROM MAY 27, 1985, ON WHICH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION CAME INTO FORCE, TO MARCH 31, 1986, THE END OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.

BOTH SIDES AGREED THAT THE ANNUAL 50-HECTARE LIMIT ON THE GRANT OF LAND REFERRED TO IN ANNEX HI TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION SHOULD BE ADJUSTED PROPORTIONATELY TO 42 HECTARES FOR THIS TEN-MONTH PERIOD. TAKING ACCOUNT OF THIS, AND HAVING REGARD TO HONG KONG'S DEVELOPMENT NEEDS, AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A STABLE PROPERTY MARKET, THE COMMISSION HAS AGREED TO A LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME AMOUNTING TO 58 HECTARES FOR THAT PERIOD. THIS INCLUDES THE GRANT OF 14 HECTARES BY PUBLIC AUCTION OR TENDER, AND 44 HECTARES BY PRIVATE TREATY. OF WHICH 29 HECTARES WILL BE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL 6.

THE TWO SIDES ALSO REACHED AGREEMENT ON THE DOCUMENTATION FOR SMALL HOUSE GRANTS, PSPS TENDERS AND LETTER A/B TENDERS.

THE COMMISSION WILL COMMENCE DISCUSSION ON THE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION AND THE ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SHARING OF PREMIUM INCOME FROM LAND TRANSACTIONS AT ITS NEXT MEETING, THE DATE OF WHICH IS TO BE FIXED LATER.

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