TNAG-1382-FCO40-1830-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 234

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continuing constitutional relationship

between Britain and Hong Kong after

1997. I believe that the title we have

chosen meets these needs. It has

necessarily been the subject of careful

consultations with the Executive Council.

The completion of these consultations has

enabled me to 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.'

3.

I wish to explain to the Council the considerations

which have influenced the choice of title. First, the

Minister of State, Mr. Richard Luce, told the House of Commons

on 5 December 1984 that the status to be acquired and retained

under the terms of the UK Memorandum would be a new form

The title must, therefore, be

of British nationality.

different from any of those currently provided for in the

British Nationality Act 1981. These existing titles are :

British citizen, British Dependent Territories citizen,

British Overseas citizen, British subject and British protected

person.

4.

Secondly, the title must be unique so that it can

be readily identified with persons who on 30 June 1997 are

BDTC's by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong. This is

/ important