TNAG-1387-FCO40-1835-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1986 — Page 51

DEC 04 '85 19:51 GIS HK

Sir,

Seline Clow

P.1

UMELCO

*

1

DRAFT SPEECH BY HON MRS SELINA CHOW, OBE, JP

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 4.12.85

The White Paper on the Draft Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986

When I spoke last in this Council on the BN(0) issue in February this year, I called for clear endorsement on all BN(0) passports stating categorically the right of abode in Hong Kong enjoyed by holders so as to facilitate the acceptance of the document by third countries.

This point was taken up by the then Minister of State, Mr Richard Luce when he informed the House of Commons during the debate of the Hong Kong Bill on 6th of February 1985. He said,

Referring to

"The Government will discuss with the chinese

authoritiek the wording of a statement to be included

Sand: in the BN(0) passport, The aim is to ensure that an

individual need use his passport and not have to

supply an identity card only to satisfy immigration authorities in third countries that he has the right of abode in Hong Kong."

Today, we learnt that the U.K. and China had agreed in the last round of talks at the Joint Liaison Group that the endorsement on the BN(0) passports will read :-

"The holder of this passport has Hong Kong permanent identity card No. XYZ which states that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong."

"

This differs from the existing endorsement in BDTC

The holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong". In passports, my view, the mention of the permanent Hong Kong identity card instead of the existing direct statement that the holder has the

Then the BN (0) passport

UMELCO

: