TNAG-2638-FCO40-3830-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1992 — Page 52

1992-11-19 17:32 SECURITY BRANCH

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abode in the Hong Kong SAR. In addition, the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 enshrines the categorical assurance that the children and grandchildren of those members of the ethnic minorities who are British Dependent Territory Citizens prior to 1 July 1997 will have British Overseas Citizenship if they would otherwise be stateless. Clearly, therefore and I cannot stress this too

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strongly - no member of any of the minority communities need fear that they, their children, or grandchildren will be stateless.

Some may feel that these assurances are not enough. They want further guarantees of their security should events make it difficult for them to remain in Hong Kong. May I remind Members as Mr Arculli has that the British Government has repeatedly given the assurance that, if any solely British national with no claim to Chinese Nationality came under severe pressure to leave Hong Kong, the Government of the day would consider with

and 1 "considerable and particular sympathy their case

That assurance was repeated on several occasions during Parliament's consideration of the Nationality Scheme. Despite Mr Arculli's objection, i do raise this for a third time. The reassurance is necessary.

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for admission to the UK".

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Members have mostly focussed on demanding from the

British Government full British nationality.

This is

obviously a question for Her Majesty Government. The only