TNAG-1333-FCO40-1765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-1985 — Page 36

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15. Meaning of certain expressions relating to nationality in

other acts and instruments.

status.

Section 51(3) will have to include reference to the new

16. Provisions for reducing statelessness.

(a) There will be provision for the automatic acquisition

at birth of a form of British nationality by children born after

30 June 1997 to registered parents, if they would otherwise be

stateless.

We have it in mind that these children will acquire BOC

or British subject status. Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2, which

provide a model for the new provision, do not confine automatic

acquisition to one generation provided other conditions are met.

In line with the general policy that the status of BOC should be

phased out, we will probably seek to restrict unconditional

automatic acquisition to one generation only.

generations would come within the terms of the existing provisions

of Schedule 2, which confer the parents' status automatically, or

give an entitlement to registration in that or another status,

provided certain conditions are met. These provisions meet the

UK obligations under the UN Convention on the Reduction of

Statelessness.

Subsequent

(b) Similar provision will also have to be made for

persons who do not acquire the new status by 30 June 1997, and who

would otherwise be rendered stateless by the loss of their British

Dependent Territories citizenship, as well as for their children

if they too would otherwise be stateless.

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