4.
Special treatment for Civil Servants
WHY SO FEW HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS GRANTED CITIZENSHIP UNDER
SECTION 4(5) OF BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT
Made clear in Parliament during passage of British Nationality
Act that very sparing use would be made of this provision. Matter
for Home Secretary's discretion.
When Bill was going through Parliament, we explained that Crown
servants in Dependent Territories could not expect British citizenship as automatic reward for long service. Citizenship would
be granted only where particularly deserving service had been
rendered to Crown in way that had been of direct benefit to UK.
Crown service in the dependencies could in some circumstances be
recognised in this way as benefitting UK itself. Applicant's
connections with UK also relevant.
NO VALUE PLACED ON SERVICE BY HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS?
Of course we value service of Hong Kong civil servants. Each
case looked at very carefully on its own merits.
SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE?
("UNDERTAKINGS")
In certain limited cases certain right of admission will exist at discretion of Home Secretary. These will be on very limited
basis for people exposed to special considerations and special
factors.
[If pressed]
It would not be appropriate to disclose the categories and numbers of people involved or the special considerations of factors
concerned..
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