TNAG-2945-FCO40-4221-British-Nationality-Hong-Kong-Act-(BNHKA)-1990-passports-for-1993 — Page 2

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23 SEP 1993

STRY

INDE

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

London SW1A 2AH

21 September 1993

The Right Rev Francis Walmsley Bishopric of the Forces

26 The Crescent

Farnborough

Hants GU14 7AS

LAST PAPER

From The Minister of State

Mrger please pex

to

Mr Kwook in Hong Kong, Mr Kelly 1st Home Office Mrdcams

MOD

(24882084)

22/9

pa

Dear Bishop.

ths B-J

Zeala

Thank you for your letter of 6 September to the Prime Minister about opportunities for locally engaged personnel (LEP) serving in the Royal Navy and the Army in Hong Kong to acquire British citizenship. Alastair Goodlad is the Minister with responsibility for Hong Kong but I am replying in his absence

overseas.

Let me first say that I appreciate your concern for these members of the Disciplined Services. The LEP do indeed have a record of loyal service and make a vital contribution to the smooth running of the Garrison. I can reassure you that they do have the right to apply for British citizenship under the British Nationality Selection Scheme (BNSS).

The

To explain in more detail, the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990 to which you refer empowered the Home Secretary to register as British Citizens up to 50,000 principal beneficiaries (and their dependants) without requiring them to leave Hong Kong. Applicants apply through the BNSS. first phase, referred to as the first tranche, finishes at the end of this year, the second tranche opens in January 1994; the detailed arrangements governing the scheme were introduced by the British Nationality (Hong Kong) (Selection Scheme) Order 1990. A further Order, applying to the second tranche, was approved by Parliament in July.

Under the BNSS, quotas are set for four classes of applicants. You correctly identify the LEP as belonging to the Disciplined Service Class. This means that LEP who qualify (all applicants under the Scheme must already have some form of British nationality) have every right to apply for British citizenship under the BNSS.

/The

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