TNAG-1848-FCO40-2623-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 10

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Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, Statutory Instrument No.948 came into force on 1 July 1987, setting up the necessary arrangements and adding references to BN(0) alongside references to BDTC where necessary in the relevant legislation.

19. The Order provides that persons who are BDTCs by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong will lose that status from 1 July 1997. But before that date they will have the right to acquire the status of British National (Overseas)

and to retain this new status for life. BN(0) status cannot be passed on to future generations.

20. The issue of passports to BN(0)s began on 1 July 1987 and some 60,000 people have been issued with one. BDTC passports currently held by Hong Kong people will remain valid to their date of expiry (or until 30 June 1997, whichever is earlier) or until they are handed in on application for a BN(0) passport. In order to guard against misuse of passports it will not be possible to hold two simultaneously in different statuses.

21. A BN(0) has an entitlement to full British consular protection

in

or

services when travelling or residing abroad [In accordance with the usual international agreements.] He will also be exempt (as are BDTCs) under the

Immigration Rules from any requirement to hold an entry certificate or visa to visit the UK. This was announced by the Home Secretary in a Written Answer on 23 April 1986 (OR cols 146-148) when he agreed that an endorsement reflecting the position should be placed in

be placed in the BN(0) passport. The endorsement reads: "In accordance with the United Kingdom Immigration Rules, the holder of this passport does not require an entry certificate or visa to visit the United Kingdom."

22. In addition the Government agreed with the Chinese Government that the passports of BN(0)s would be endorsed, in the following terms, to record their right of abode in Hong Kong and their returnability to Hong Kong both before and after 1 July 1997: "The holder of this passport has Hong Kong permanent identity card number (XYZ) which states that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong".

Delete - this is not entirely accurate.

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