TNAG-2931-FCO40-4206-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1993 — Page 51

X

CODE 18-77

Mrs Barnes-Jones

HKD

NTN/340/393/1 k

Reference

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Wowow

1

Mr Mistis 714

49

up.

to

7/4

appreciate the Morms wreed aty. I am not as sanguine as time on X, I have the

PHASED PROGRAMME FOR REGISTERING BDTCS AS BN(Q)s impression.

1. Hong Kong Telno 501 and FCO Telno 298 refer.

2.

high

but

as he suggests. checking our

I am

1 April, I agree with the conclusions reached in the FCO telegram in reply. numbers of BDTCs who register as BN (0)s and opt to retain passports describing them as BDTCS, this will have serious

As I told you during our telephone conversation on back papers. However, as I pointed out, if substantial will

the Consulate-General.

I think we

need a further

implications for the future work of the Passport Section of tel to

We would be faced with an almost HK Once th

impossible situation on 1 July 1997.

More's bas

collected comments in. Hi hat wow

Follow up

3. In the first place, we would wish the HKID to keep careful statistics of all those in this category. we would expect the HKID to try to persuade such persons to opt for passports describing them as BN (O)s.

Secondly, should Given that there when be

is little or no advantage for a person who has been registered as a BN(0) in retaining a passport describing them as a BDTC, it should be possible for HKID to be fairly persuasive. As I understand, only two countries, ie Mauritius and Austria, treat BN (0) differently from BDTCs for immigration purposes and Mauritius has now come into line.

4. I should be grateful for your comments and those of copy addressees. If necessary, it could be pointed out to such persons the difficulties that might arise on 1 July 1997 when they try to exchange the passport describing them as a BDTC. for one which would describe them as a BN(0). It might be that Miss Lau's concern is purely academic and that, in practice, most persons who register as BN (0)s will opt to receive à passport describing them as such. But HKID should be aware of our concerns.

5. I should be grateful for any comments from copy addressees.

M. Momis

N J Morris

нкозабі

R

13

1993

Nationality, Treaty and Claims Department

CL511 270 4070

visits 614

NGJ

5 April 1993

cc: Mr C J Kelly, Nationality Office, 3rd Floor,

India Buildings, Water Street, Liverpool L2 0Q Mr R F E Jones, UKPA Clive House, Room 235.

njm39cw

CONFIDENTIAL