Government felt that special measures had to be devised to give key people in the public and private sectors of the
community the confidence to remain in Hong Kong. These
measures took the form of the British Nationality (Hong Kong)
Act 1990, which came into force on 7 November 1990. Under
this scheme full British citizen passports will be offered to a maximum of 50,000 key personnel (plus spouses and children
under 18) both in the public and private sectors, without the beneficiaries having to leave the territory and take up residence in Britain to acquire citizenship. The deadline for applications for the first tranche of passports was 28 February 1991. Over 65,000 applications were received for the 43,250 places available, an oversubscription of more than 50%. The Hong Kong Government and a Home Office team are processing these applications now and aim to complete the first tranche during 1993. The remaining places in the second tranche will be issued between 1994 and 1997 in order to provide an opportunity to those Hong Kong people who will by then have moved into key positions. The nationality scheme has contributed to the restoration of confidence in Hong Kong.
28. As well as the nationality scheme Britain has also taken every opportunity to encourage our partners and allies, especially those with close economic and social ties with Hong Kong, to consider taking similar measures. The results have been encouraging and some countries, including Singapore, the USA, France, the FRG, Belgium and Luxembourg, have already found ways in which to help.
British Consulate General
29.
Planning is now underway with the aim of having a new building ready for occupation in 1996. It will bring together the present British Trade Commission and the British Council
ipu.conf.PR
SLM
10
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.