PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION for Oral Reply on 16 December 1982
Sir Charles Fletcher-Cooke (Darwen): To ask the Secretary of
State for the Home Department, if, since the Royal Assent was
given to the British Nationality Act 1981, there has been any alteration in the citizenship or immigration status or expectations
of the inhabitants of Hong Kong whether by administrative action,
ministerial assurances or otherwise.
DRAFT REPLY
There has been no alteration in the citizenship or immigration status of the inhabitants of Hong Kong since Royl Assent was given to the British Nationality Act 1981. No Ministerial assurances have been given nor has any administrative action been taken since then which could justify any alteration in the speculations of the inhabitants of Hong Kong on these questions.
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HAS NOT A CHANGE RECENTLY BEEN MADE TO THE NATIONAL DESCRIPTION
IN PASSPORTS ISSUED TO A PERSON FROM HONG KONG?
Yes. My noble friend Lord Elton confirmed in another place on
29 November that the Govern had agreed that Dependent Territories, including Hong Kong, may insert the word 'British' opposite the printed words 'National status' in all passports issued to
British Dependent Territories citizens.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CHANGE IN PASSPORT DESCRIPTION
This does not constitute a change in status. The description
together with the description 'British Dependent Territories citizen' followed by the name of the territory, which will appear below it, simply describes [accurately] the nationality and the citizenship
of the passport holder.
WHY WAS THE CHANGE MADE
IF IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CHANGE IN STATUS ?
mant's
The change reaffirms the Governors commitment to the Dependent
Territories including Ilong Kong. It indicates that we are
entitled to give the holders of the passports consular protection and to represent their interests abroad.
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