TNAG-1567-FCO40-2132-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 100

11.

To argue that British Overseas citizenship is not a satisfactory form of

citizenship raises much wider implications: there is just no possibility of

somehow avoiding these. We have 2 million British Overseas citizens throughout

the world: 800,000 have that as their only form of nationality. The Government's policy was fully debated and, despite opposition, was approved by both Houses in the British Nationality Act 1981. It would be extremely damaging for Government policy and for the British Overseas citizens themselves, to go back on this now. Yet that is in effect what the Opposition motion is suggesting by saying that British National (Overseas) (which like British Overseas citizenship does not provide

in the United Kingdom) a right of abode is making people effectively stateless.

12.

Of course, along with nationality, people in Hong Kong need a right of abode.

They want to live in Hong Kong. After 1997 no form of British nationality can

provide this. But it has been guaranteed by the agreement with the Chinese.

13. There is no justification for saying now that the agreement will not hold up or that people who are not ethnically Chinese will have to leave Hong Kong. To grant a bolt-hole in Britain would only risk making more possible and more acceptable just what we and they do not want to happen. But to reassure the minority we have made clear that if any individual were to come under pressure to leave Hong Kong we would expect the Government of the day to consider sympathetically their case

for admission here. Mr John Swaine, the Convenor of UMELCO's ad hoc group on the

Order, has described that as a strong moral commitment. We agree: it is the right way to deal with what we all hope will never happen.

14. But we have to be clear about the implications for immigration policy if large numbers of new British citizens were to come to this country. At present there

are 11,500 who might stand to benefit. But we all know the pressures - people have 11 years to find a way of taking advantage of this route to British citizenship. There is no guarantee that large numbers will not find a way through the loophole; and this Government will rightly be held responsible. It is hardly an approach consistent with the Government's firm and responsible stand on immigration.

15.

So:

i)

we have moved a long way to meet Hong Kong's wishes;

ii) we have accepted our responsibility to the ethnic minorities and

have provided for them none will be stateless;

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