XN000022-1996-04-03 — Page 93

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Reply:

Mr President, the answers to the Hon Member's questions, in the order they are raised, are as follows:-

(a)

(b)

(c)

Like other British Nationals, BDTCs and BN(O)s can obtain the following consular services from British Consular Posts overseas. These services include:-

(i) assistance in rendering travel documents and other related

services;

(ii) visiting British nationals who are under detention or serving

sentences in overseas prisons;

(iii) helping British nationals to get in touch with local lawyers,

interpreters and doctors;

(iv) arranging for messages to be sent to relatives or friends of British nationals who are in custody; informing next-of-kin of accidents or deaths and advising on procedures;

(v)

pleading for clemency in death sentence cases; and

(vi) evacuation in cases of natural disaster or political upheaval.

Information on consular services and assistance that Hong Kong residents can enjoy while overseas is available from the Immigration Department. The Hong Kong Immigration Department also acts as a point of contact for overseas consular posts and the family of Hong Kong residents who are under trial, serving prison sentence or otherwise in distress overseas.

We are in the process of stepping up our activities to publicise consular services available to BDTCs and BN(O)s. Leaflets on "British Consular Services Abroad" currently being used by British Consular Posts can be obtained from Immigration Department. Steps are being taken to produce bilingual leaflets. The intention is to make new bilingual leaflets available to British passport holders upon issuance of passports.

End