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3.1 1.1
British National Overseas (BN(0)s).
This is less complicated
than the first Order but has aroused a certain amount of concern in Hong Kong which I hope the recent decision on passports made by my rt. hon Friend has served to allay. I shall say a little
The purpose of the Order is to ensure the orderly and timely acquisition of BDTC and BN (0) status by those who wish to acquire before Hong Kong reverts to China in 1997. BDTC status expires at that point.
it
The Problem
The problem we are faced with is that the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 provides for the status of Hong Kong BDTC to end on 1 July 1997. It also provides for Hong Kong BDTCS to acquire BN (0) status and passports before that date. Under the terms of the UK Memorandum attached to the Joint Declaration and Article 4(2) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 we cannot process applications for BN (0) status after 30 June 1997. so far only million of the estimated 3.3 million DDTCS
who are (on will be eligible for RN(0) status have obtained
BN(0) passports. There are some 1.7 million BDTC passports in circulation, of which more than half are due to expire in 1996/97. Unless we act now many of those eligible will apply very close to 1997, and the Hong Kong Immigration Department will not have the capacity to process their applications before the 30 June deadline. There would clearly be a serious problem if significant numbers remained unprocessed after the deadline had passed. We therefore wish to institute a phased programme of BN(0) registrations to encourage an orderly flow and avoid an overwhelming number of last minute applications.
Another important consideration is that those who wish to become BN(0) have first to acquire BDTC status. Naturalisation as BDTC normally takes about 18 months in Hong Kong. There is at present
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