TNAG-2047-FCO40-2917-Visits-by-staff-of-the-Department-of-Trade-and-Industry-to-H-1990 — Page 54

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT OF MR SAINSBURY TO HONG KONG, 22-26 SEPTEMBER

HONG KONG ISSUES

NATIONALITY

References

A Statement by the Secretary of State in the House of

Commons on 20 December 1989

B

C

Statements by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of

State in the Second Reading Debate on the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill on 19 April

Copy of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act

Background

1.

In order to help restore confidence and reduce the

rising emigration rate in Hong Kong, following the events in

Tiananmen Square in June 1989, the Government introduced the

British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill 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 18.

2. The Selection Scheme will be set out in an Order in

Council to be tabled when Parliament resumes in 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 issuing 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.

Policy Implications and Problems

DAWAEQ/2

CONFIDENTIAL