TNAG-2933-FCO40-4208-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1993 — Page 25

Mr Morris

Miss Everett

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HONG KONG NATIONALITY ISSUES

Reference

HCD 340/1

07 ju. 1993

1.3.9

1.

You will recall that Mr Goodlad wrote recently to selected colleagues to enclose background briefing on nationality issues, chiefly for full British passports for the ethnic minority community and the question of the phased registration programme for British Dependent Territory citizens (BDTCs) as British Nationals (Overseas) (BNS).

2.

We had originally envisaged making available this background note to members of the press in response to what we anticipate as being considerable interest eg on the part of the Hong Kong press corps. Miss Brooks has reservations. Subject to your and her agreement, I suggest that News Department, while drawing extensively on the background brief for oral briefing, should stop short of actually handing copies over. Since the Hong Kong Government office have already distributed to the press copies of the attached background to the phased registration programme we might make these available to the

press.

3. I should record that the Home Office have indicated at desk level that they are prepared to consider very carefully (with a view to agreeing) the holding of BNO and BDTC passports concurrently. But this will be for them to confirm in the first instance. I have asked that their press office keep in close touch with us on the line they will take.

hebuah Hannes Jones.

Deborah Barnes Jones

Hong Kong Department

WH 312 telno 270 2068

7 June 1993

Cc:

Miss Brooks, Legal Advisers Mr Haywood, NTCD

Mr Kelly, Home Office

min.ethnic.NAT

JEB

CODE 18-77

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