XN000022-1986-03-19 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986

UK GOVT RECOGNISES FEELING ON BN(0) ISSUE

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THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE STRENGTH OF FEELING ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE IN HONG KONG AND IT IS GIVING THE MATTER PRIORITY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A STATEMENT BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THESE QUESTIONS WERE HOWEVER COMPLEX, AND IT WAS RIGHT THAT THEY SHOULD RECEIVE FULL AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.

SIR DAVID SAID THAT BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S POLICY HAD BEEN TO GIVE A FULL OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.

ONCE LAID, THE DRAFT HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) ORDER WOULD HAVE TO BE DEBATED BY BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AND THERE WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE CONCERNED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE MATTER, HE SAID.

+1 KNOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT HOPE TO REACH DECISIONS SHORTLY, BUT I CANNOT SAY AT THIS STAGE WHETHER THIS WILL BE BEFORE EASTER,+ SIR DAVID SAID.

HOWEVER, SIR DAVID SAID THAT HE WOULD CERTAINLY CONVEY THE COUNCIL'S VIEW TO THE UK GOVERNMENT.

PROGRESS REPORT ON NATIONALITY ISSUE SOUGHT

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SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, TODAY CALLED FOR A RESPONSE TO HONG KONG'S REQUESTS ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE BEFORE THE DRAFT HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) ORDER IS LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT.

*WE EXPECT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER THAT RESPONSE AND COMMENT UPON IT BEFORE PARLIAMENT IS INVITED TO ASSENT TO THE ORDER, SHE STRESSED.

IN A STATEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS DUNN NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE TERMS OF THE ENDORSEMENT IN THE PASSPORT WOULD BE, AND THE ETHNIC MINORITIES AND EX-SERVICEMEN WAITED TO SEE THEIR REQUESTS HAD FALLEN ON DEAF EARS.

MISS DUNN URGED THE GOVERNOR TO CONVEY TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THE COUNCIL'S INCREASING APPREHENSION ABOUT THE PASSAGE OF TIME.

SEE NOTED