TNAG-1377-FCO40-1825-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 112

Following consultations

with the Hong Kong

Executive Council, it is intended that the title of the

form of nationality should be "British National

new

(Overseas)".

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

less 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.

I believe that the title we have chosen meets these

needs. It has

has necessarily been the subject of careful

with the Executive Council.

of these

has consultations

The

to

consultations completion

me enabled

announce the title to the House today. There should now be adequate time to explain the choice of the new title to the people of Hong Kong. I f an amendment is to be introduced incorporating the title into the Bill, and I can understand why this might be thought desirable, there would be an opportunity to do so in another place.

As I indicated on 5 December the Schedule

the Schedule includes

a specific provision that the Orders

Orders may include any

that are necessary measures

to ensure that

British

national,

born any child nor

after 1 July 1997 to a

British national, is made stateless as a result of these

arrangements.

no

It is the Government's intention that all the necessary amendments to nationality legislation should be made if possible in one Order in Council, though the

Bill would allow adjustment or addition by further

Orders-in-Council if that became necessary.