TNAG-2629-FCO40-3820-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1992 — Page 33

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accept late applications where applicants have good

reasons for not applying within their cut-off

dates(4)

·

13.

If Members approve this approach, the

programme must start in mid-1993 or as soon thereafter

as the legislative process allows. This is because, if

everyone eligible to apply were to do so, the numbers

would increasingly exceed our capacity to cope as 1997

drew nearer. lt is, of course, unlikely that everyone

will apply. But we have no way of predicting the

actual numbers and must therefore work on the

assumption that most, if not all, eligible people will

want BN (0) passports. For estimating purposes, we have

assumed an uptake of 70%),

Note (4) ;

Note ($) :

The legislation must make it clear thal

the cut-off dates should not apply to

people who become naturalized during or

after their call-up phase.

This is based on past and present

statistical trends and some quesswork

about the effects of the publicity

campaign.