TNAG-2638-FCO40-3830-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1992 — Page 30

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

18 November 1992

116

香港立法局

一九九二年十一月十八日

116

the United Kingdom". That assurance was repeated on several occasions during Parliament's consideration of the nationality scheme. I know that some Members do not accept these assurances but I believe them and I believe it is necessary to reiterate them now.

Many Members have mostly focused on demanding from the British Government full British nationality for the ethnic minorities. This is obviously a question for Her Majesty's Government. The only other significant number of Hong Kong people who will have been given this are those under the British Nationality Scheme. It is indeed clear from many comments this evening that some sort of provision similar to the British Nationality Scheme is what the ethnic minorities are really after here. Her Majesty's Government believes that, with the agreement on right of abode contained in the Joint Declaration and the assurances covering statelessness and the position of solely British nationals faced with pressure to leave. Hong Kong, it has made full provision for this group. Members of the minority communities who meet the criteria set out in the Selection Scheme Order 1990 are of course able to apply for British citizenship under the scheme in the same way as other Hong Kong residents. Indeed I am sure that many have.

Mr Deputy President, thus both we in the Hong Kong Government and the British Government have fully and adequately considered the position of the ethnic minorities. I have every confidence that the Joint Declaration remains the surest base for the future of Hong Kong and I am satisfied that we have taken adequate measures to safeguard the interests of all the people of the territory. The question of British nationality is, as I have said earlier, a matter for the British Government which has made its position clear. I must advise that I consider it unlikely that further concessions will be forthcoming. Nevertheless, I recognize the depth of concern that underlies the desire to keep trying.

Question on Mr Ronald ARCULLI's amendment put and negatived.

Question on Mr Jimmy McGREGOR's motion put and agreed to.

Adjournment and next sitting

DEPUTY PRESIDENT: In accordance with Standing Orders I now adjourn the Council until 2.30 pm on Wednesday 25 November 1992.

Adjourned accordingly at twenty-two minutes past Eight o'clock.

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