XN000022-1993-05-11 — Page 2

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TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1993

STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR'S MEETING

WITH LEGCO SUB-COMMITTEE ON NATIONALITY

FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S MEETING WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SUB-COMMITTEE ON NATIONALITY THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE GOVERNOR HAD A 45-MINUTE MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO SUB-COMMITTEE ON NATIONALITY THIS AFTERNOON.

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"DURING THE MEETING, THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT HE AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE SUPPORTED, AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT, THE CASE WHICH THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAD PUT ON THE QUESTION OF BRITISH NATIONALITY FOR MEMBERS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES.

"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER WAYS IN WHICH GREATER REASSURANCE CAN BE PROVIDED TO MEMBERS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IN HONG KONG THAN THAT OFFERED IN BARONESS YOUNG'S STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE OF LORDS IN MARCH 1985.

"THE GOVERNOR EMPHASISED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY MADE VERY CLEAR TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THE STRENGTH OF FEELING WITHIN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THIS ISSUE; THAT CONCERN WILL OF COURSE BE UNDERLINED BY MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE THEMSELVES WHEN THEY VISIT LONDON SHORTLY.

"ON THE QUESTION OF A PHASED PROGRAMME FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ISSUING OF BN (0) PASSPORTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE RECOGNISED THE CONCERN OF MEMBERS OF LEGCO THAT THEY HAD NOT BEEN CONSULTED EARLIER.

"HE STILL BELIEVED STRONGLY THAT A PHASED PROGRAMME WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT ALL THOSE WHO WISHED TO CLAIM RECEIVE A BN(0) PASSPORT BEFORE JUNE 30, 1997 WERE ABLE TO DO SO.

"HOWEVER, HE REALISED THAT LEGCO MEMBERS' PROGRAMME MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY WHETHER OR NOT MISSED THE CUT-OFF DATE IN THE PROGRAMME, CIRCUMSTANCES', WOULD HAVE A MEANS OF APPEAL.

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VIEWS ON THE PHASED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD DUE TO 'SPECIAL

"THE GOVERNOR, THEREFORE, PROPOSED THAT THERE SHOULD INDEPENDENT APPEAL PANEL, ON WHICH THERE COULD BE A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS.

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"THE GOVERNOR WAS CONTENT FOR LEGCO MEMBERS TO NOMINATE THEIR OWN REPRESENTATIVES TO THIS PANEL.

"THE PANEL WOULD HAVE THE FINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADJUDICATING ON THE NATURE OF THE 'SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES' IN INDIVIDUAL CASES.

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