TNAG-2940-FCO40-4216-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 37

RESTRICTED

HKD 34576.

(56)

(and to argue against a phased registration programme with

legally enforceable cut-off dates for registering British

Dependent Territory citizens as British Nationals (Overseas)).

On the advice of HKG, we and the Home Office have agreed that a formal response to the LegCo request should issue only after the delegation's visit. (So far the Home Office indicated to us that they see no prospect of changing their present position that the position post-1997 of this community is adequately protected by arrangements already in place).

4. Mr Goodlad undertook during his recent visit to Hong Kong to write to LegCo to update them on the position of "split

families". These are the 150 or so families where British

citizen parents are unable to transmit citizenship to children

born in Hong Kong before 1/1/1983 but can do so to children

born after that date due to provisions of the British

Nationality Act 1981. The Home Secretary agreed last

September to look "generously and speedily" at applications

from families in this anomalous position. I see advantage in

the Minister writing now, in order to be able to pass at least one piece of good news to the delegation.

Aboah Bannes Dues

Deborah Barnes Jones

sub.ethnic.NAT

JEB

Родым

RESTRICTED