TNAG-2945-FCO40-4221-British-Nationality-Hong-Kong-Act-(BNHKA)-1990-passports-for-1993 — Page 8

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PARLIAMENTARY UNDER

SECRETARY OF STATE

B4 IND LIVERPOOL

1

Dear Guan,

Mur Langdon Mr Rawsthorne

Mr Walmsley MrKelly

mrs Keswick Mr Ruffley Mr Thomas

HOME OFFICE

QUEEN ANNE'S GATE

LONDON SWIH 9AT

29 April 1993

I undertook to write to you following our meeting on 19 April at which you explored the possibility of, more citizenship places being made available to Royal Navy locally employed personnel in Hong Kong (LEPs) under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Selection Scheme. You were particularly interested to know if demand from other quarters was such that spare places might be available which could be taken up by the LEPS.

I explained that some 80% of the 50,000 principal beneficiary places available under the scheme had been assigned to the first tranche of the scheme and that as we were well advanced with allocations of places under this tranche, adjustment would now only be possible under the second tranche, which was likely to start in January next year. The unused places from the first tranche would be carried across to the second and the distribution of places under the

places under the second tranche would take account of the level of demand in the various categories in the first.

This would not, however, lead to any great increase for the LEPS. Most of the 7,000 places available under the scheme specifically for the disciplined services had been assigned under the first tranche. Only about 1,000 would remain for disposal under the second and these had to be spread around all the disciplined services in accordance with their strength and application rates in the first tranche. Because of their size the gain by LEPS in absolute terms would be very minor.

In relative terms the LEPS had benefitted from the scheme and would continue to do so under the second tranche in the same way as other members of the disciplined services. The problem with them had been caused by the fact that demand had greatly exceeded supply. In other sectors demand was more in line with supply and disappointment was far less.

The Lord Geddes

D4

LIVERPOOL

24 031 206 9086

P.03

The

It would only be possible to allocate extra places to the LEPS by altering the formula applying to the disciplined services in the British Nationality (Hong Kong) (Selection Scheme) Order 1990 to one which favoured them and disadvantaged the other services, something which would undoubtedly cause further resentment.

the same formula fairest distribution arises where, as now, applies across the board. There are no plans to amend the legislation to introduce such a change nor is there any prospect of the 50,000 total which is enshrined in the British Nationality Act 1990 being increased through further primary legislation.

You

Navy

LEPS

more

whether Royal wondered

might receive favourable treatment than Army LEPS on the grounds that unlike them the Navy LEPs served all over the world, not just in Hong Kong.

We have now checked this with the Ministry of Defence who tell us that this distinction cannot be made: both are liable to service outside Hong Kong.

situation

We shall keep in mind the concerns you have expressed in case

as the do to meet them can there is anything we progresses.

Your

w3 fuer

Chrzes

CHARLES WARDLE

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15

PASSPORTS FOR HONG KONG LEPS

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Under the Hong Kong Nationality Act the disciplined services (including eg police) received passports in the first tranche in a ratio of 1 to 7 (the ratio of passports to actual applicants was 1 to 4) The demand from LEPS was greater than expected and their passports allocation was consequently heavily oversubscribed. Following an Order in

in Council in July, а anouncement has been made inviting applications for the second tranche from January 1994, for three months. The MoD pressed the Home Office for an increase in the allocation for LEPS in the this tranche, and they will receive an extra 26, making 54 in total. There were, however, 551 disappointed applicants in the first tranche. LECS are not covered by the Act and receive no special treatment. Very few of them will receive British

passports.

LINES TO TAKE

Main concern is to encourage locally entered garrison staff (2500 civilian and 1500 military) to remain at their posts. Vital for smooth running of garrison.

Defence Ministers pressed for more generous treatment of garrison staff. LEPS have received extra passports in

second tranche.

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13 SEP 1993

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