TNAG-2930-FCO40-4205-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1993 — Page 7

01 MAR 188 18:36 84 LINO 051 295 1160 24 FEB_99 11:34 RIMENT HOUSE HUNG KUNG-

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2

PG.03

P.3.3

ย

( 4 )

(e)

(E)

Article 4(5) is sufficient. We have introduced special arrangements to facilitate naturalised BDTCs to apply for BN(0) passports immediately upon acquisition of the BDTC status;

the cut-off date of 31 December 1996 docs seem harsh for anyone born in the last quarter of 1996. We agree the cut-off date for children born in the last quarter of 1996 should be put back to 31 March 1997;

we share the concern of the FCO and appreciate the advantage of a single final cut-off date for overseas pūsls. However we are worried that inconsistency in Freatment or local and overseas residents may attract criticisms from the former. Overseas posts may al50 face a last minute ruch problem if only one singla cut-off date is given. There is also the danger that Hong Kong applicants who have missed the relevant cut-off date may seek to apply through overseas posts.

we have no strong views on whether the operation of Assiela 404) Aavr ins inere

On the matter of cut-off dates we would actually prefer a cut-off date to be advanced to the second last day of a month if the last day falls on a Sunday. apologize for not having made this point clear in my last I must letter.

be happy tu disucas further if you have

other views.

Yours

(Miss Ingrid Ho) for Secretary for Security

CONFIDENTIAL GK.