TNAG-2715-FCO40-3921-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 42

NATIONALITY

British citizenship for non-Chinese Ethnic Minorities

Parliament specifically considered the position of this

community during the passage of the British Nationality (Hong

Kong Act) 1990 but decided that there was no case for special

treatment. Home Office Ministers have looked again at this decision following representations from the Hong Kong

Legislative Council but considered that the position of this

community was adequately protected and that there was no need

for fresh legislation.

- Members of the ethnic minorities are free to compete on the same basis as any other BDTCs in the British Nationality scheme established in 1990 to give British Citizenship to up to 50,000 key people in the private and public sectors of Hong Kong without them having to leave Hong Kong. Some have already

benefitted under this scheme.

The

British citizenship for Wives and Widows of ex-Servicemen

- There is no scope under current legislation to grant British Citizenship to these people while they remain in Hong Kong. immigration and nationality status of the wives and widows of

former servicemen in Hong Kong was debated very fully during the

passage of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990.

Parliament decided not to exempt them from the residential requirements prescribed by the British Nationality Act 1981, but

the Home Secretary gave assurances that these ladies would be

welcome to enter the United Kingdom to settle at any time.

- The Home Secretary has said that he would exercise discretion

as generously as possible in the light of individual

circumstances but not to such an extent that it emptied the

residence requirements of all meaning.

back.comm.PR

SLM