TNAG-2628-FCO40-3819-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1992 — Page 7

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CONFIDENTIAL

passports in circulation of which more than half are due to

expire in 1996/97. They are concerned that many of those eligible will apply very close to 1997 and that the Immigration

Department will not have the capacity to process their applications before the 30 June deadline. There would be a

serious political

political problem if significant numbers remained unprocessed after the deadline had passed. They therefore wish to institute a phased programme of BN(0)

of BN (0) registrations to encourage an orderly flow and avoid an overwhelming number of

last minute applications.

3. There are several possible reasons for the slow rate of uptake of BN (0) status. Some people may be unaware that HKBDTC passports will cease to be valid in 1997. Others see BN (0) BN(0)

passports as inferior to BDTC ones. When BN (0) passports were

first introduced, some countries which accepted BDTC passports

were unfamiliar with the new documents. Some Hong

Hong Kong

travellers experienced difficulties and their problems received

a lot of press attention.

4. The timing problem is made worse by the fact that those who

wish to become BN (0) have first to acquire BDTC status.

Naturalisation as BDTC normally takes about 18 months in Hong

Kong. There is at present no time limit on applications for

BDTC, therefore in theory eligible people may apply at any time

in the run up to 30 June 1997 in the expectation of becoming

BN(0) soon after. Since for new BDTCS time will also be needed

to process their BN (0) applications, the Hong Kong immigration

authorities say that, if existing procedures are followed, they cannot guarantee to process applications received after 1 June 1995, or if certain streamlining measures are introduced, mid

1996. The possibility of processing applications for BN(0)

status after 30 June 1997 has been ruled out on the ground that

it would be in breach of the agreement reached with the Chinese

and would be likely to cause political problems.

CONFIDENTIAL