akes provisions to guard against statelessness. It provides for any British ependent Territories citizens who lose that status and have not acquired British National (Overseas) status on 1 July 1997 automatically to become British Overseas citizens if they would otherwise be stateless. The children of former Hong Kong BDTCs born on or after that date will also be British Overseas citizens automatically at birth if otherwise stateless. The grandchildren of former Hong Kong BDTCs will be entitled to be registered as British Overseas citizens if born stateless. The draft Order will be debated in Parliament once the people of Hong Kong and other interested parties have had an opportunity to comment on it. Her Majesty's Government will take careful note of points raised in these debates and will consider if these call for any changes to be made in the terms of the draft Order before it is re-presented for approval under affirmative resolution procedure.
11. At the same time as the White Paper was published Her Majesty's Government announced the arrangements for the issue of British National (Overseas) passports from 1 July 1987. This will enable the present practice of issuing passports with a ten-year validity period to continue without interruption, and will give the maximum amount of time for third countries to grow accustomed to the new passports. Her Majesty's Government will be approaching other countries to explain the new passport to them once the draft Order has been made.
12. In August 1985, Her Majesty's Government initiated discussions with the Chinese Government on the wording of a statement to be included in British National (Overseas) passports which would indicate clearly to immigration authorities in third countries that the holder had the right of abode in Hong Kong. Agreement was sought for the statement to remain valid over the life of the passport. It would thus be valid both before and after 1997. At the same time, agreement was sought for the new permanent identity cards, which the Hong Kong Government wish to issue from 1 July 1987, to remain valid until they are replaced after 1997 by identity cards of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
(f) Legislation and Treaties
13. In due course Hong Kong will ask for Orders in Council to be made, under the Hong Kong Act 1985, enabling the Hong Kong Government to enact local legislation to replace United Kingdom laws which at present apply to Hong Kong. Examples of such laws are those relating to merchant shipping and civil aviation. Treaties affecting Hong Kong, and arrangements for setting up a court of final appeal in Hong Kong, are also being looked into. Some of these subjects, particularly the question of ensuring the continued application of international rights and obligations affecting Hong Kong, will be discussed with the Chinese Government through the Joint Liaison Group.
(g) Shipping
14. In May 1985 the Hong Kong Government issued a consultative document outlining initial thinking for a separate, autonomous Hong Kong Register of Shipping; there was a constructive response from the shipping industry, which is now being studied.
7
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.