Cladon
NEW FORM OF NATIONALITY
CONFIDENTIAL
WHY BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) CHOSEN AS TITLE?
28.
Careful consideration has been given to the title of the new
form of British nationality. The Government believes that "British National (Overseas)" best meets the needs of all parties concerned.
On the one hand it makes it clear that it is a form of British
Nationality. On the other it does not imply a continuing constitutional link between Britain and Hong Kong after 1997.
HAVE YOU INFORMED THE CHINESE OF THE NEW NATIONALITY TITLE?
29. Yes. We informed them as a matter of courtesy. They have not
raised objection to it.
HOW DOES STATUS DIFFER FROM BDTC?
30 The benefits to be accorded to holders of the proposed BN (O)
status are still under detailed consideration and will of course be
subject to Parliamentary approval. But the Government intend that
they should be broadly the same as those enjoyed by BDTCs, except for transmissibility.
[IF PRESSED]
Descendants of BDTCs may acquire BDTC status by registration in certain circumstances. BN (O) may not be acquired after 1997.
HOW DOES STATUS DIFFER FROM BOC?
31
There are no major differences under UK law between holders the proposed BN (O) status and the existing BOC status.
of
[IF PRESSED]
Descendants of BOCs may acquire BOC status by registration in certain circumstances. BN (O) may not be acquired after 1997.
WILL BN(0) PASSPORTS STATE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG?
32 Yes.
A statement to this effect will be entered by HMG with respect to the period before 1997. As laid down in Section XIV of Annex I to the Joint Declaration, we shall after 1997 be able to state that the holder of the passport holds a permanent SAR identity
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.