TNAG-2933-FCO40-4208-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1993 — Page 61

BRITISH CITIZENSHIP FOR WIVES AND WIDOWS OF EX-SERVICEMEN

10. During the second reading of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990, the Home Secretary gave an assurance that the spouses of any British citizens who had died and who had been resident in Hong Kong would be allowed to come to the United Kingdom to settle and to apply for British citizenship in the normal way. The assurance was extended to the wives and widows of those servicemen who served in the defence of Hong Kong during the Second World War, irrespective of the husbands' nationality. This group numbers under 60.

11. At the request of the Hong Kong Government, HMG are reviewing policy on wives and widows of ex-servicemen on several occasions. Most recently we passed on to the Home Office in May a further request that they examine what scope there might be under the British Nationality Act 1981 to grant citizenship to the ladies in question without the necessity of a long stay in the United Kingdom before qualification.

note.britnat.NAT

JEB