TNAG-2189-FCO40-3126-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 179

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(b)

by the Secretary of State. It has been reserved for cases where there are "special circumstances" and, in particular, the power cannot be used as a means of by- passing the residence requirement altogether. The most that the Secretary of State has felt able to do in waiving the residence requirement is [B4 to provide details];

section 4(5) permits the Secretary of State to register as BC's Crown servants who are BDTC's "if he thinks fit in the special circumstances of the applicant's case". Again, this has been interpreted restrictively in the past in the light of the requirement for "special circumstances". Up to 10 January 1990 the total number of registrations in respect of Crown servants under this provision has been 64 out of 596 applications. The policy adopted under this provision has been to require an exceptionally high standard of public service benefiting both the UK and HK. th

depinders teams

2.10 In addition to the provisions of section 4 there are, technically, two further routes under the BNA whereby a BDTC can acquire the status of BC -

(a) under section 3 (1) the Secretary of State has a general power to register minors as British citizens. This

power has been exercised [ B4 to provide brief description of policy];

(b)

under section 6 a BDTC can, like anyone else, acquire British citizenship by naturalisation if he can satisfy the requirements of Schedule 1.

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