position for their children to be registered as British citizens under Section 3 (i) of the British Nationality Act. So far 148
applications out of 197 received have been successful. None has
yet been refused.
42.
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 a recent Report by the Nationality Sub-Committee of the Legislative Council and supported unanimously by the full 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 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.
43.
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
consider that in order to avoid a last minute rush in 1997 by
those registering as BNOs, a phased scheme for registering BDTCS
as BNOS should be introduced. The Government is planning to
introduce an Order in Council by June prescribing cut-off dates
for the acquisition of BNO status. Any BDTC who does not elect to register will automatically become a British Overseas Citizen
(BOC) from 1 July 1997 if he or she would otherwise be stateless.
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