TNAG-2921-FCO40-4196-Visits-and-proposed-visits-by-Alastair-Goodlad--Minister-of--1993 — Page 64

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BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990

Scheme has successfully targeted key people. (First tranche over 50% oversubscribed).

As at 18 December, over 36,000 principle beneficiaries had been registered under the Selection Scheme as British

citizens. (Registration also authorised from the General Occupational Class (76%), the Disciplined Service Class

(17%), the Entrepreneurs Class (0.5%), and the Sensitive Service Class (6.5%).

Applications under the second phase of the Selection Scheme can be submitted from 3 January to 3 April 1994, enabling those who have moved into key positions since 1991 to apply for the approximately 11,500 places to be allocated under that phase.

BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS) (BN(0) S)

The Hong Kong British Nationality (Amendment) Order 1993 which was approved on 13 July 1993 prescribes cut-off dates,

by age group, for the acquisition of BN (0) status. Understand this is a mechanism similar to that used previously in Hong Kong for the issue of identity cards.

Essential that all BDTCs who want them should be guaranteed

BN (0) passports before the power to issue them ceases on

1 July 1997. Phased programme is the tool which will ensure that the Hong Kong Government is able to process all applications and issue passports in time.

There is of course no question of losing BDTC status before

30 June 1997. But in recognition of concern in Hong Kong the

Home Secretary announced on 9 June his agreement to allow