BDTC status expires at that point and those who wish to have BN(0) status must acquire it before then, first obtaining BDTC status if they do not already have it. Only 400,000 of the 3.3 million people who are or will be eligible for BN(C) status have so far applied, and Hong Kong fear that there will be a last minute, unmanageable rush unless deadlines are put in place to enable applications to be dealt with in phases. The scheme envisages these deadlines being set by age group.
The first, for
22-26 year olds, would come into effect soon after the passing of the Order and the deadlines would extend up until the end of 1996. The Governor would have discretion to accept late applications where applicants had good reason for not applying by the appropriate cut-off date.
Second tranche of Selection Scheme
4. The second Order would make some fairly minor adjustments to the British Nationality (Hong Kong) (Selection Scheme) Order 1990 in the light of experience of the first tranche, which has now been running for two years. The changes would apply to the second tranche, which is due to start on 3 January next year and finish in the Autumn of 1995.
5. Hong Kong's prime concern is to correct some of the problems of under-subscription or under-representation which have or may occur amongst certain groups or classes of applicant. They are looking to avoid over-provision of places amongst occupations where demand has been lacking and to be able to transfer places to groups where they will be used. There are other small changes they wish to make at the same time, details of which are contained in the Annex.
6. I propose that the second tranche of the Scheme should be the last and that an announcement be made to this effect
in due course.
There are too few places left to warrant
IB.2/JM
S'd
SEPZ092180
PS:ST 86, 83 80
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