TNAG-2939-FCO40-4215-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 39

that the key figure was the maximum of 50,000 households to be covered (and the 1990 Act spells this out). The figure of 225,000 was only ever intended as an illustrative, not a definitive, upper limit.

7.

British Citizenship for Wives and Widows of Ex-Servicemen

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 husband's nationality. This is a small group (a few dozen) and their call to be granted British citizenship without having to travel to the UK generates considerable sympathy for their cause in Hong Kong.

8.

As further reassurance, the Government has introduced arrangements which enable the spouses to be registered with the Immigration Department in Hong Kong; any subsequent application for entry clearance can be processed very quickly indeed.

9.

The Hong Kong Government told LegCo Councillor Jimmy McGregor last November that they would ask HMG to look again at the case for exemption for this group. We have asked the Home Office at official level to consider HKG's proposals. But since new primary legislation would be necessary, it seems unlikely that the Home Office will be able to do more.

Registration of Children of "Split" Families

10. Dr C H Leong has been prominent in pursuing this issue. A number of British citizen parents in Hong Kong may transmit their citizenship to children born in Hong Kong on or after 1.1.1983 (when the British Nationality Act 1981 came into force) but are not able to transmit the citizenship to children born in Hong Kong before that date.

Secretary agreed last September to look "generously and speedily" at applications from families in this anomolous position. 112 applications out of 190 received so far have been successful. None have been refused.