27-MAY-1993 18:48
HK GUVERNMENT HUUSE
WIVES AND WIDOWS OF EX-SERVICEMEN
Background
852 521 1868
P.07
There
Most servicemen who fought for Hong Kong in World War II became British citizens by registration under Section 4(5) of the British Nationality Act 1981. was pressure from the Legislative Council for the wives and widows of these ex-servicemen to be given British citizenship as weli. The British Government guaranteed in 1996 and 1990 that these ladies could enter the UK for
gettlement at any time. The Legislative Council arques
that the ladies are too old to settle in the UK in order to acquire British citizenship.
2.
The Governor has suggested that the Secretary of State could waive the residence requirement for these old ladies to be registered or naturalised as British citizens, so that they need only stay for a very brief
period in the UK at the beginning of the qualifying period. The case is now with the Home Office.
Line to Take
3.
The British Government has already given special
consideration to this small group.
Hong Kong has
requested a further concession, that the residence requirement for these ladies be waived. My Home Office
colleagues are now considering this request.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.