TNAG-1558-FCO40-2122-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 85

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All eligible British Dependent Territories citizens will be

entitled to acquire BN (0) status. Acquisition will be by

registration. This is consistent with the long-standing

provision in British nationality law for those exercising

an entitlement to citizenship. But the terms of the

Memorandum, reflecting the particular needs of Hong Kong,

link its acquisition to the holding of a BN(0) passport.

The passport, together with the central register which

will be maintained, will be evidence of the new status.

So Article 4 provides a clear entitlement to hold a BN (0)

passport. As the House will know, there is generally no

entitlement to hold British passports which are issued

under the Royal Prerogative. But the Order makes it clear

that those affected are entitled not only to BN (0) status but

also to a passport showing that status, in line with the

UK Memorandum associated with the Joint Declaration.

The formalities going with registration will be kept to a minimum.

We envisage only that each person's particulars will be

entered on a central register. No separate fee will be

charged for this. The detailed arrangements will be worked

out with Hong Kong between now and 1987, and it will be

necessary to make regulations to govern these in the normal

way under the British Nationality Act 1981.

Article 6 sets out the Government's proposals for reducing

statelessness. This is a matter of considerable importance and

understandable interest. The Government has given

the matter the most careful thought. The Joint Declaration

guarantees to all Hong Kong BDTCs, except those who have

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