TNAG-1384-FCO40-1832-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 184

In

of a connection with Hong Kong on 30 June 1997 may acquire it.

addition the status in question will be held only by those people

who will have acquired a passport which shows them as holding that

status before 1 July 1997 (or 31 December 1997 if born in the first

six months of that year).

6.

The Hong Kong Act set out the framework within which the Order

in Council will fit. It provides that BDT citizenship cannot be

retained or acquired on or after 1 July 1997 by virtue of a

connection with Hong Kong, and that BDTCs by virtue of any such

connection may before that date (or before 31 December 1997 if born

in the first six months of that year) acquire a new form of British

nationality. The holders of the new nationality will be known as

British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(0)). The Act also provides for the

Order to:

specify cut-off dates for receipt of applications for BN (0)

status;

provide that the new status may be held on or after 1 July

1997 only by people who are BDTCs on 30 June 1997;

make provision for the avoidance of statelessness; and

make such other consequent provisions as may be necessary for

the purpose of the Order, including provisions amending the

British Nationality Act 1981 and any other enactment.

7. The annexed draft Order in Council has been prepared to accord

with this pre-existing structure. Outside the scope of the Order

are the detailed arrangements that will be made for the issue,

renewal and replacement of BN (0) passports. These matters are being

pursued separately with the Government of Hong Kong.