TNAG-2935-FCO40-4210-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1993 — Page 61

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CHIEF SECRETARY HONG KONG

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Secretary has taken account of this concern, and the persuasive representations of Members of this Council, by deciding to make what is I think a unique exception to longstanding and worldwide British passport practice of not allowing people to hold two passports by allowing Hong Kong BDTC passports to be held in addition to BN(O) passports. BDTC passports will, of course, expire on 30 June 1997 as stipulated under the Joint Declaration.

4. The draft Hong Kong (British Nationality)

(Amendment) Order 1993 was put to the House of Commons on 13 July and the House of Lords on 15 July. Both Houses approved this Order. The phased BN(O) application programme is now underway. The first cut-off date for registration, for 22 - 26 year olds, will come at the end of October this

year.

BN(S) Order

5. Parliament has also endorsed the draft British

Nationality (Hong Kong) (Selection Scheme) (Amendment) Order 1993. This Order provides for applications for British citizenship to be made in a second tranche under the British Nationality Scheme, beginning at the start of next year.

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