XN000022-1996-04-24 — Page 76

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Number of applications for naturalisation

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In view of the large number of people who have applied for naturalisation last month, will the Administration inform this Council:

Reply:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Mr President,

(a)

of the number of applications for naturalisation received in each of the past 3 years as well as in the first three months of this year;

how long the applicants have to wait for a decision on their applications given that there are only 433 days to the transfer of sovereignty;

whether the successful applicants will be given adequate time to apply for the British National (Overseas) passports; and

how many applications have been rejected in the past 3 years and whether the applicants have been notified of the reasons for the rejection; if not, why not?

The number of applications for naturalisation/ registration as British Dependent Territories citizens in the past three years and in the first three months of this year is as follows:

(b)

Year

1993

1994

1995

1996 (Jan - Mar)

No. of applications

17,391

17,803

34,580

217,603

The Hong Kong Immigration Department aims to complete processing of all outstanding naturalisation/ registration applications by the end of September 1996.