TNAG-1850-FCO40-2625-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 22

But would be prepared to consider whether more might be done.

DOES BRITAIN HAVE OBLIGATIONS UNDER HUMAN RIGHTS COVENANTS TO GIVE

CITIZENSHIP TO HONG KONG BDTCs?

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Nationality arrangements for Hong Kong fully meet obligations under the UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

No British Dependent Territories Citizens in Hong Kong will become stateless on 1 July 1997. Those who do not become British Nationals (Overseas) and who have no other nationality eg Chinese will automatically become British Overseas Citizens. The children

and grandchildren of such people will also be British Overseas Citizens if they would otherwise be stateless.

After that, would expect future generations to acquire nationality from country in which they were born.

WOULD GRANTING OF RIGHT OF ABODE IN UK TO HONG KONG BDTCS CONTRAVENE

JOINT DECLARATION?

Statement in UK memorandum about new status for Hong Kong people not conferring right of abode is associated with Joint Declaration,

not integral part of it.

But since texts of the two memoranda were negotiated with Chinese authorities, would need to inform Chinese of any substantive change to our nationality law.