TNAG-1456-FCO40-1980-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-report-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 49

J

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(d)

13.

Nationality and Passports

Parliament

and

consultation with the

Following debates in

people of Hong Kong an Order in Council was made on 5 June 1986

under the terms of the Hong Kong Act 1985. This provides for persons who are British Dependent Territories citizens by virtue of

connection with Hong Kong to lose that status on 1 July 1997 but to be entitled to acquire before that date a new status, to be known

as British National (Overseas), together with a British passport

provision to guard

British Dependent

a

The Order also makes

It provides for any

recording that status.

against statelessness.

Territories citizens who Lose that status on 1 July 1997

automatically to become British Overseas citizens if they have not acquired BN (0) status and if they would otherwise be stateless. The

children of former Hong Kong BDTCs born on or after that date will

also

be British Overseas citizens automatically at birth if otherwise stateless. The grandchildren of former Hong Kong BDTCs X will/bger

to be registered as British Overseas citizens if

хх

entitled

born stateless.

come into effect on 1 July 1987. Passports

of British National (Overseas) will be issued

14.

The Order will

bearing the

from that date.

status

15.

through Parliament

Her

During the passage of the Order Majesty's Government took into careful consideration three specific

made by requests

the Legislative Council of

that Hong Kong:

the

passports of BN (0)s should contain an endorsement to the effect that visas or entry certificates were not required for visits to the UK: that ex-World War II service veterans in Hong Kong should be granted British citizenship: and that ethnic minority (i.e. non-Chinese) BDTCS should also be granted British citizenship. Her Majesty's

The Government agreed to the passport endorsement request in full. majority of the 270 or SO service veterans are not eligible under the British Nationality Act 1981 for registration as British citizens. However the Government agreed to consider sympathetically applications from the 60 or so eligible for British citizenship and

of the 270 could

admitted any

to the

for UK

settlement together with their dependants. Her Majesty's Government

agreed

that

be

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