HC Deb 07 March 1996 vol 273 cc297-9W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which categories of(a) passport holders and (b) non-passport holders, settled in Hong Kong prior to 1 July 1997, will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom as dependant relatives; and if he will make a statement. [19473]

Mr. Kirhope

To qualify for indefinite leave to remain as a dependant relative, any person who is subject to immigration control has to meet the requirements of the immigration rules.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what type of British passport ethnic minority people settled in Hong Kong will be eligible to apply; what rights such passports will confer on their holders; and if he will make a statement explaining the arrangements for passport applications. [19475]

Mr. Kirkhope

The ethnic minorities are eligible for the types of British passport which correspond to the citizenship they hold. Those who are successful in British nationality selection are entitled to British citizenship passports with right of abode in the United Kingdom. The majority will be entitled to a British dependent territories citizen—BDTC—passport or its successor, the British national (overseas)—BN(O)—passport. Any BDTC who would otherwise be stateless on 1 July 1997 will automatically become a British overseas citizen—BOC. BDTCs, BN(O)s and BOCs all enjoy visa-free travel to the United Kingdom, an entitlement to registration as a British citizen following settlement and five years' residence here, and British consular protection in appropriate circumstances. Applications in Hong Kong for British passports can be made to the Hong Kong immigration department.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) war service and (b) other widows settled in Hong Kong are entitled to British passports; and if he will make a statement. [19472]

Mr. Kirkhope

I understand that, of the 23 widows of men who served in the defence of Hong Kong during the second world war who are resident in Hong Kong 18 are British dependent territories citizens or British nationals (overseas) and are therefore eligible for appropriate British passports. The number of other widows in Hong Kong who are eligible for British passports is not known. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced during his recent visit to Hong Kong that the Government would facilitate a private Member's Bill to give British citizenship to the wives and widows of ex-service men who served in the defence of Hong Kong during the second world war.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement explaining who in Hong Kong will be eligible to visa-free access to the United Kingdom from Hong Kong after 1 July 1997; what endorsement will be made to their passports before they leave Hong Kong; what will be the procedures for obtaining such endorsement; and what period of leave to enter the United Kingdom will such passport holders be granted on entry to the United Kingdom. [19474]

Mr. Kirkhope

Holders of British national (overseas) or Hong Kong (special administrative region) passports after 1 July 1997 will not require a visa to travel to the United Kingdom for a short visit. They will not require specific entry clearance endorsed in their passports except for those purposes for which, under the immigration rules, entry clearance is mandatory. They will, however, need to satisfy the immigration officer at the port of entry that they meet the requirements of the immigration rules. They will be granted leave to enter appropriate to the purpose of their visit.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) heads of households and (b) their dependants in Hong Kong have, to date, been issued with British passports; what was the total number of British passports which Her Majesty's Government announced would be issued; what plans he has to issue more British passports to heads of household and dependants; and if he will make a statement. [19476]

Mr. Kirkhope

As at 29 February 1996, 48,610 principal beneficiaries and 80,866 dependants had been registered as British citizens under the selection scheme. On Second Reading of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill, the then Home Secretary estimatedthe absolute maximum number of people who might benefit as 225,000 people. The selection scheme is, however, constructed on the basis of principal beneficiaries and the Act limits them to 50,000; there is no discretion to vary that number. It is the family size of the principal beneficiaries that will determine the total number of beneficiaries, not estimates made in 1990. The Government have no plans to introduce further legislation to amend the scheme.