TNAG-2714-FCO40-3920-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 113

40.

The second group involves the children of so-called "split families". A number of British citizen parents in Hong Kong can transmit their citizenship to children born in Hong Kong on or

after 1 January 1983 (the date when the British Nationality Act

1981 came into force). But they are not able to transmit the citizenship to children born in Hong Kong before this date.

Home Secretary agreed last September to look generously and speedily at applications from families in this position for their

children to be registered as British citizens under Section 3 (i)

So Far

of the British Nationality Act. applications

148 out of 197

received so far have been successful.

yet

None has been refused.

The

41. The Committee considered that the Government had an

obligation to provide citizenship to non-Chinese British Dependent Territory Citizens (BDTCs). There is continuing concern in Hong Kong (reflected in the Legislative Council) about the position of this group.

The Government consider that their position is

adequately protected by arrangements already in place and that

there is no case for fresh legislation. The non-Chinese community's position in Hong Kong is secure; neither they nor their children or grandchildren will be stateless; they are

eligible to apply for British citizenship under the British

Nationality Scheme (and some have been successful); and the British government stand by their undertaking to consider with particular sympathy the case for admission to the UK if, contrary to expectations, members of this community with solely British

nationality were to come under pressure to leave Hong Kong in the

future.

3DTC

42. On 1 July 1997, the status of British Dependent Territory

Citizen (BDTC) in Hong Kong will lapse, as provided in the UK

Memorandum annexed to the Joint Declaration. It will be replaced by British National (Overseas) (BNO) status. The Government have yousider decided that in order to avoid a last minute rush in 1997 by those

registering as BNO, a phased scheme for registering BDTCs as BNOS

select.cttee.PR.JRB