TNAG-2935-FCO40-4210-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1993 — Page 56

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER

SECRETARY OF STATE

CC: Mr Ranotherne

Mir nebolewhile 4hrs Barnes-Jones

(MID.FCO)

340

MKD

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02 AUG 1993

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QUEEN ANNE'S GATE

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29 July 1993

213

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Dear Graham.

Towards the end of our debate on the two Hong Kong British Nationality Orders on 13 July you asked two questions on which I undertook to write to you.

First you queried the date (31 March 1996) beyond which residents of Hong Kong will be unable to seek naturalisation as British Dependent Territory citizens (BDTCS). You suggested that this was too far ahead of the date (1 July 1997) when the Chinese assume Sovereignty and that it would preclude many people from acquiring British National (Overseas) BN (0) status.

We chose 31 March 1996 as the deadline because it currently takes 18 months in Hong Kong to process applications for naturalisation as a BDTC. It is the same process that operates here, with enquiries being carried out into residence, periods of absence, character and so on. Hong Kong are streamlining procedures in an attempt to reduce this processing time but it is unlikely to drop below 12 months, unless there is a significant fall in the number of applicants. A little time is needed beyond that to deal with any application for conversion of BDTC status to BN (0) status and to issue the BN (0) passport.

We do not know how many people will submit applications over the next few years for BDTC and then BN (0) status. The Hong Kong Immigration Department may have an enormous workload in the run up to 1997. We decided therefore in consultation with the Hong Kong Government that a deadline on BDTC applications 15 months before handover to the Chinese would strike the right balance between the need to meet any wishes of the Hong Kong people to become British nationals, and the need to have sufficient time, if there are large numbers of applicants, to enable Hong Kong immigration staff to do the necessary work.

Graham Allen Esq MP