TNAG-2047-FCO40-2917-Visits-by-staff-of-the-Department-of-Trade-and-Industry-to-H-1990 — Page 10

BACKGROUND

Nationality and Related Issues

Reference

Extract from Hansard of 23 July 1990

1. In order to help restore confidence and reduce the

rising emigration rate in Hong Kong, the Government introduced the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act on

4 April 1990. It received Royal Assent on 26 July. It provides for the grant of British citizenship to 50,000 key

personnel from the private and public sectors (on a ratio of

about 2:1) and to their spouses and children under eighteen.

2. The Selection Scheme encompassed in the Act was set out in an Order-in-Council which was approved by Parliament on

15 October. The Scheme will operate in two tranches. The

first tranche, some 87% of the places, will commence as soon

as the Order-in-Council is approved. The Hong Kong Government hopes to begin to issue the first passports by

late spring or early summer 1991. The second tranche will

be reserved for allocation closer to 1997 to cater for those

who would by then have moved into key positions. Generally the British business community in Hong Kong have welcomed

the Nationality Package but they have been making

representations on some specific issues.

3.

They would like to see a bigger allocation of points made available for employees of British firms in Hong Kong. One argument used is that other countries (eg UK, Germany

and France) have or are planning to give residency to their companies' employees, whereas our scheme is not generous enough, but other countries do not have the responsibility for the continued good administration of Hong Kong as a

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CONFIDENTIAL