TNAG-1382-FCO40-1830-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 5

Sir,

NATIONALITY / HIC BILL

Speech by the Chief Secretary, Sir Philip WP HUK 040/4

Haddon-Cave, in the Adjournment Debate in

the Legislative Council on 6 February 1985

I have

listened with great care and

I note Mr Andrew So's

interest to this debate. expression of support for the broad principles of the nationality provisions in the Hong Kong Bill

which

is under consideration in the British

Parliament. I understand that this reflects the

general support from Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils.

2

I also sense a general

acceptance by

Members of this Council of the title "British

National (Overseas)" proposed for the new status which is to be acquired by British Dependent

Territories citizens connected with Hong Kong and then retained by them after 1997, in accordance with

the United Kingdom Memorandum associated with the

Sino- British Joint Declaration.

3

is

But I note that this support and acceptance not wholly unqualified. A central theme which

has emerged from this debate is that everything possible should be done to ensure that the

the future

British National (Overseas) passports are accepted by the immigration authorities of third countries, an extent which would provide their holders with at least the same degree of freedom of entry as they

to