TNAG-1361-FCO40-1807-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 274

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DRAFT SPEECH BY HON CARL TONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

6.2.85

Adjournment Debate on the proposed title of British National (Overseas)

Sir,

In his speech at the House of Commons debate on January 21, 1985 at the Second Reading of the Hong Kong Bill, the Secretary of State, Sir Geoffrey Howe said :

"It has not been easy to devise a title which

meets all the necessary requirements. On the one hand, it needs to make clear that we are dealing with a form of British nationality. Nothing less

than that would be acceptable in Hong Kong. On the other hand, it is essential that the title we

choose can continue to be used after 1997. For

this to be possible, the title must clearly carry no implication of a continuing constitutional relationship between Britain and Hong Kong after

1997."

In the same speech he informed us that the new status to be given to the BDTCS of Hong Kong under the provisions of the UK

Memoranda with the PRC would be that of British National

(Overseas), BN (0) for short. Up till today, no clear

explanation has been given to the people of Hong Kong who queried the reason why the words "citizen" and "Hong Kong"

not appear in this new nomenclature. I think it could clarify matter if the Government can explain the reasons or constraints

in arriving at such a decision.

•

do

Now I turn to my speech to this Council of October 16,

1985, I voiced my concern about the possibility of

statelessness for ethnic minorities in our community and asked

for assurances from the British Government.

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