(ii)
ACCEPTABILITY OF THE BN(0) PASSPORT
9. The Government will do all that it
holders enjoy the same access to other
by BDTC passport holders.
10.
can to ensure that BN(0) passport
countries as that enjoyed at present
The Government will explain the new status to third countries once
the Order is in place and before the new passports are introduced in July 1987.
There will be a clear statement in the new passport that the holder has the
right of abode in Hong Kong. There is no reason for third countries to
introduce different restrictions on entry for BN (0)s to those of BDTCS.
USA Australian and West German Governments have already welcomed BN (0)
passports and we are confident that other Governments will follow their lead.
(iii) FORMER SERVICEMEN
The
11. The Government does not believe that it would be appropriate to grant
British Citizenship as a matter of course to ex-servicemen in Hong Kong.
We fully recognise the contribution made during the war, but many of the
servicemen were born in Hong Kong as were their parents and grandparents.
we believe that All their personal family connections are with Hong Kong and most if not
all are BDTCs who will be entitled to become BN (O)s and will have the
right of abode in Hong Kong under the agreement. Granting British Citizenship
cannot secure their future in Hong Kong which is where they wish to continue
to live.
12. The Gyoernment will consider carefully any applications under section 4(5)
of the British Nationality Act on grounds of service under the Government of
Hong Kong. However, this section cannot of course apply to those in service
under the Government of the United Kingdom which may well have been the
position for most of the Hong Kong ex-servicemen. It is not of course,
possible to indicate in advance what the outcome of any application would
be, but the Government is committed to using the power very sparingly
and granting only to those who have given outstanding service. It would be necessary to take these factors fully into account in fairness to other
ex-servicemen throughout the world.
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