TNAG-1566-FCO40-2131-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 32

HONG KONG NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCIL

NOTES FOR WINDING-UP

CONTINUING GUARANTEES TO NON-ETHNIC CHINESE

B19

Will the Government give an undertaking to the non-ethnic Chinese BDTCS

that their descendants born stateless after the middle of the next century

should be granted British nationality?

LINE TO TAKE

Appreciate honourable members concern, but do not think it appropriate to

give such an undertaking. It would not be proper as a general principle to grant British nationality indefinitely and without restriction to the

descendants of British nationals resident in a foreign country. This would

be contrary to long-standing principles of our nationality law governing the

transmission of our nationality to children born abroad. As I have said,

the Government's proposals provide for a form of British nationality for

descendants of non-ethnic Chinese BDTCs until well into the next century.

I believe this is as far as we can and should reasonably go to safeguard future generations.

I would, however, remind the House that it would be open to a future Home

Secretary to use his discretion to register any minor as a British Overseas

citizen if he thought this appropriate in the special circumstances of any

particular case.

B19