TNAG-1566-FCO40-2131-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 155

HONG KONG NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCIL

POINTS FOR CRITICISM

8. COMMONWEALTH CITIZENSHIP

CRITICISM

1. BN(0)s should not be Commonwealth citizens, since Hong Kong will not

then be part of the Commonwealth.

PROVISION IN THE ORDER

2.

Article 7(3) provides that BN (0)s should be Commonwealth citizens.

Line to Take

3. There is no suggestion that Hong Kong will remain part of the Commonwealth

after 1 July 1997: it will not. But British National (Overseas) is a form

of British nationality. In common with all other British nationals, including

BDTCS and BOCs, BN (0)s will be commonwealth citizens. If they are living

here and meet the appropriate residence and other qualifications they have

all the rights in the UK which that citizenship carries with it (eg the

right to vote, to join the Civil Service, to be a MP). It would not be

right to deprive them of such rights which are available to all qualified

British nationals living here.

E. 13