CONFIDENTIAL
PUS'S VISIT TO INDIA, 12-16 MAY
HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AND THE ETHNIC INDIAN COMMUNITY
Points to Make
The British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill had its second reading in
the House of Commons on 19 April. The main element of this
nationality package will take the form of full British citizenship
to a maximum of 50,000 heads of household without their having to
leave Hong Kong.
The Council of Hong Kong Indian Associations have been seeking a
special provision for British citizenship for anyone not in
possession of another nationality and who might otherwise become
stateless after 1997.
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Special provisions have already been made for any potential
statelessness by granting British Overseas Citizenship for two
generations beyond 1997.
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An assurance was also given in Parliament in 1986 to treat with
sympathy the case for admission to UK of any individual British
national who came under pressure to leave Hong Kong.
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The Government, are aware of the concerns, but have concluded that
the minorities could not be treated as a special category but would
be welcome to apply along with others; each application being
treated on its own merits.
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We have been asking friends in the international community to
follow our lead in granting assurances to selected Hong Kong people. India could help if it were to grant citizenship (or at least right
of entry) to some Hong Kong Indians without requiring them to leave
Hong Kong in order to qualify. (Understand that there are some
3,000 members of the Indian community who do not already hold other passports).
TOYAEB
CONFIDENTIAL
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