XN000022-1990-04-04 — Page 7

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1990

5

THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF AN EXPLANATORY NOTE PUBLISHED TOGETHER WITH THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) BILL:

BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) BILL: SELECTION FOR CITIZENSHIP: EXPLANATORY NOTE

Note:

the

This document describes the selection scheme which Government has in mind for the grant of British citizenship under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill. It is based on principles originally proposed by the Hong Kong Government.

Under the British Nationalit; (Hong Kong) Bill the Governor of Hong Kong would, after Royal Assent, submit proposals for a selection scheme to the Secretary of State who would have the power to amend the scheme as he though. necessary, before submitting it to Parliament for approval.

This document is therefore issued for guidance purposes only. It has no legal status.

BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) BILL SELECTION FOR CITIZENSHIP

Explanatory Note

1.

in

of

Under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill the Secretary State (in effect the Home Secretary) would be empowered to grant registration as a British citizen to up to 50,000 heads of households Hong Kong. He would do so on the basis of recommendations made by the Governor of Hong Kong in accordance with the provisions laid down by the Bill. The Home Secretary would not register a person whom he had reason to believe was not of good character or who had ceased be eligible.

2.

to

by

for

Once the Bill, which is an enabling measure, had been passed Parliament, the proposed selection mechanism ("the Scheme") identifying the 50,000 recipients, would be set out in an Order in Council which would be presented to both Houses for approval.

of this Note is to provide Parliament with an explanation how it is envisaged that such a Scheme would operate.

purpose

The

of

/THE SCHEME