MTHAKH (5)
more than 450 days absence, but the Home Secretary has discretion to accept longer absences. He frequently does so, e.g. allowing two years absence in the five year period, and could allow even longer absences where the facts of the case justified it.
CITIZENSHIP FOR WIVES AND WIDOWS OF EX-SERVICEMEN
4.
During the LegCo debate on the Governor's policy address on 9 November, the Senior Member, Mr Allen Lee, and others raised the question of wives and widows of ex-servicemen being granted British Citizenship. The Hong Kong Government gave a cautious reply, indicating the difficulties involved, but undertaking to consult
HMG. Wives and widows of ex-servicemen can obtain British
citizenship either by registration or naturalisation. Both courses require periods of residence in the UK, which can be interpreted
flexibly but not waived entirely. This in effect precludes most of those concerned from applying since because of old age, poor health or the British climate they are unprepared to start a new life in
Britain.
5.
The only apparent way to meet the concerns of these people would
be to amend the BNA 1981. This would raise all sorts of questions
about other categories of people both in Hong Kong and more widely (especially the question of foreign spouses generally), and would be unlikely to gain Parliamentary support. We are nonetheless
consulting the Home Office.
BN (0) PASSPORTS
6.
A diplomatic campaign was pursued in 1986 and 1987 to explain the new BN (0) status to foreign governments. These efforts were in
the main successful. Most of the countries which are the main
destinations for travellers from Hong Kong have offered their public
support. No country has said it will not accept the BN (0) passport
for travel to and from its territory.
7. The passport duly came into existence on 1 July 1987. We fully
expect people holding such passports to be able to travel as widely
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