ENG-1990 — Page 435

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

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decrease of 11 per cent, inclusive of 78 265 passports issued to persons with the status of British National (Overseas). The demand for Certificates of Identity also decreased by two per cent to 164 400.

Following the introduction of machine-readable common format passports in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong issued its machine-readable passports on June 1, 1990. The new passport is computer-based and has a burgundy soft cover which is slightly smaller in size than the conventional blue hard-cover passport. As the new passport has machine-readable codes, it will enable its holder to pass more quickly through international immigration checkpoints equipped with passport readers. During the year 147 574 machine-readable passports were issued.

In 1990, there was a slight decrease in the demand for re-entry permits which accounted for 44 per cent of the 851 800 travel documents issued.

Identity cards issued up to June 30, 1987, are being replaced with permanent or ordinary identity cards in a four-year phased programme which began in July 1987. The new cards have no expiry date and with the agreement of the Chinese Government, will remain valid beyond July 1, 1997, and until they are replaced by the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. In 1990, 787 900 identity cards were issued under the replacement programme, 259 059 to new arrivals and persons having reached the age of 11 or 18 and 228 400 to persons who had lost or damaged their cards or whose identity cards required amendments.

Naturalisation

There was a phenomenal increase in the number of applications for naturalisation in 1990, particularly in the month of July. During the year, 35 011 applications were received, a drastic increase in comparison with the 9 348 applications received in 1989. The unpre- cedented upsurge was attributed to the nationality requirement stipulated in the British Nationality Scheme which provides for the acquisition of full British citizenship by 50 000 heads of households in Hong Kong and their dependants. On July 25, 1990 alone, the day immediately before the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act was given the Royal Assent, Immigration Department received 18 939 applications. To cope with the situation, some 400 officers were deployed and working hours extended until midnight.

Marriages

The registration of marriages, births and deaths is the responsibility of the Immigration Department.

All marriages in Hong Kong are governed by the Marriage Ordinance and the Marriage Reform Ordinance. Under the Marriage Ordinance, at least 15 days' notice of an intended marriage must be given to the Registrar of Marriages. The registrar has discretionary powers to reduce the period of notice if there are special circumstances or to grant a special licence dispensing with notice altogether, but this is done only in exceptional circum- stances.

Marriages may take place at any of the 208 places of public worship licensed for the celebration of marriages, or at any of the 13 full-time marriage registries and three part-time sub-registries located in the main urban districts and rural centres. Of the 13 full-time marriage registries, four are also open for marriage ceremonies on Sundays.

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