05-JUN-1993
16:35
09 JUN '93 15:41
FOO News Dep:
HOME OFFICE FRESS OFFICE
P.2/2
P.01
Home Office
148
NEWS RELEASE
9 June 1993
50 Queen Anne's Gate London SWIH 9AT
(Night line 071 273 4595)
Contact Number:
071 273 4620
MICHAEL HOWARD RESPONDS TO HONG KONG PASSPORT FEARS
Britain has agreed in principle to allow Hong Kong citizens to retain their current passports during the run up to 1997.
Home Secretary Michael Howard announced the decision today during a meeting with representatives of the Hong Kong Legislative Committee (LegCo),
The decision will mean that those citizens of Hong Kong currently holding a British Dependent Territories Citizen (BDTC) passport will, in principle, be allowed to retain it even when they have registered as British National (Overseas) (BN(O)).
Following the meeting Mr Howard said:
It is important that we have arrangements in place to ensure that everyone who seeks a BN(Ó) passport can have their application processed before the deadline of 30 June 1997. We
to introduce propose
achieve Order shortly, which will that.
an
"The decision I have announced today, will go a long way to allay the worries of some Hong Kong citizens about our plans for a phased scheme of registering BDTCs as BN(0)s.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The Hong Kong Act 1985 provides that BDT Citizenship cannot be retained or acquired on or after 1 July 1997. Existing BDTC's may acquire a new form of British Nationality, BN (O).
2. The BDTC passport, allows holders to travel, but does not give a right of settlement in the UK. It will be superceded by the BN(0) passport at the time of the changeover in 1997. The BN (0) gives similar travel rights to the BDTC once Hong Kong is longer a UK dependency.
ΠΟ
3. In order to achieve a smooth transition
transition the Government is planning to make an order requiring Hong Kong BDTCS to transfer to BN(0) status by given dates according to their date of birth.
нко залі
TOU. 1993
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.