citizenship on Falkland Island BDTCs because of their particular
role in the South Atlantic hostilities. Made clear during passage
of the Act that their situation was wholly exceptional, and that
this did not provide a precedent for other Dependent Territories.
The majority of the Falkland Islanders were already British citizens
because they were previously CUKCS with the right of abode in the UK
through their parents or grandparents.
People closely
Not appropriate to draw a parallel with Gibraltar. British
citizenship has not been conferred on Gibraltarians.
connected with Gibraltar are BDTCs. They have an unconditional
entitlement to registration as British citizens because they fall to be treated as UK nationals for European Community purposes.
[IF RAISED: OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW TO GRANT RIGHT OF
ABODE TO NON-CHINESE BDTCS]
The Government does not consider that under international
is
law there
an obligation on it to grant the right of abode in the UK to all
persons who hold some form of British nationality.
The agreement specifically provides for all those who have made
their home in Hong Kong to have the right of abode there. The
Government believes the agreement is such that people will not wish
to leave Hong Kong.1
part
If I may
summarise the Government's position, it is that to give
right of abode to one
the BDTC community in Hong Kong is
neither desirable nor necessary. It i s not necessary because the agreement provides a satisfactory basis for all residents of Hong Kong to continue to lead their normal lives there after 1997 and
because the provisions which we propose on statelessness should be
sufficient to alleviate any anxieties on that score. It is not
desirable because it would divide the BDTC community in Hong Kong
against itself, and would undermine confidence in the future.
I should further say in conclusion
be
no right of abode does not
that the fact that there should
me an that it would be impossible for
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.