HC Deb 07 June 1993 vol 226 cc69-70W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been made in Hong Kong in each year since 1985 for naturalisation as British dependent territories citizens; and how many have been(a) granted, (b) refused and (c) are still pending.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The information is as follows:

Applications
Year Made Granted Refused Withdrawn
1985 844 704 152 86
1986 861 759 100 45
1987 1,233 808 70 23
1988 1,016 1,074 60 36
1989 3,098 1,098 73 26
1990 12,543 1,699 95 39
1991 7,588 11,463 399 270
1992 2,909 8,846 493 247
11993 1,505 885 55 19
Totals 31,597 27,336 1,497 791
1 (to April).

Note: Year of application and year of determination are different in most cases.

The number of applications outstanding at the end of April 1993 was 2,981.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions are taking place on the provisions of the British Nationality Order under the Hong Kong Act 1984 on the acquisition of British national (overseas) status.

Mr. Charles Wardle

Discussions have been taking place between Her Majesty's Government, the Hong Kong Government and members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. We expect to have further discussions with a delegation from the Legislative Council House Committee in London this week.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to alter either the time in which applications are permitted or the method of application for British National (Overseas) status for British dependent territories citizens in Hong Kong.

Mr. Charles Wardle

Work is in hand to prepare a draft Order in Council requiring applications for British National (Overseas) status to be made in time to allow the necessary work to be completed before the powers to register such applicants and issue them with BN(O) passports lapse on 1 July 1997. It is proposed to specify deadlines according to age group with provision for late applications to be considered where there are special circumstances. We have no plans for any change in the method of application.