TNAG-2632-FCO40-3823-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-Nationality-(Hong-K-1992 — Page 43

scnd.tranche

JM

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Ricketts

Лил

Mr Hum

PS/Mr Goodlad

Minister,

From: J C Morris

Hong Kong Department

Date: 8 October 1990

cc: Mr Davies, FED

Miss Brooks, Leg.Cllr.

Chan Aşıdır

काना

BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990 (BNHKA):

SECOND TRANCHE

Problem

1. Home Office seek our views on a Hong Kong Government proposal that the second phase of the BNHKA passport selection scheme should begin on 3 January 1994, (immediately after the end of the first phase).

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that Ministers agree, subject to the Home Office proviso on staff in sensitive posts. A Departmental Legal Adviser has been consulted.

Background and Argument

3°

The BNHKA passport selection scheme was designed to allocate the 50,000 passports available to key personnel in two tranches, of 43,250 and 6,750 places respectively. During the passage of the legislation, Ministers explained that the second tranche would be allocated nearer to 1997, in order to allow:

a) an opportunity to some Hong Kong people who will by then have moved into key positions, and a second chance to those who failed to secure a place in the first tranche.

Not announced, but considered by officials as a further benefit, was:

4.

b) the opportunity for the Hong Kong Government to

adjust the points system to take account of altered priorities for the retention of key staff,

(eg changing patterns of emigration).

Hong Kong propose to review the operation of the selection scheme early in 1993 and decide if the details should be modified for the second tranche. If changes are needed, a new Order-in-Council (provided for under the BNHKA 1990), will be required before the end of 1993 to facilitate the second tranche. This legislation would be a Home Office responsibility.

CONFIDENTIAL

1

!

HKD 340/2

1400T 1992

ов

58