TNAG-2202-FCO40-3157-Hong-Kong-British-Nationality-Act-1981-registration-at-disc-1990 — Page 22

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ARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR PRIORITY WRITTEN ANSWER ON FRIDAY 19 JANUARY 1990

To ask the Secretary of

Mr Tom Pendry (Stalybridge and Hyde): State for the Home Department, how many Hong Kong citizens will be eligible for British citizenship under the British Nationality Act, Section 4, subsection 5 in return for rendering Crown services.

DRAFT REPLY

Hong

as

the

There are currently some 180,000 Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizens in Crown service under the government of

eligible

for Kong who are

discretionary to apply

registration

British citizens under section 4(5) of

British Nationality Act 1981. An unknown additional number are eligible on the basis of past service. In accordance with the policy announced when the British Nationality Act 1981 was before Parliament, the limited powers under this provision are used

sparingly.

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