§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been received by Her Majesty's Government from Hong Kong and the Chinese community in Great Britain, respectively, concerning proposed changes in British nationality law.
§ Mr. RaisonSince the publication of the White Paper on British nationality law a few letters have been received on behalf of people working in Hong Kong. When I visited Hong Kong recently I had discussions with the Hong Kong Government and they have also sent their views to Her Majesty's Government. I also had talks with representatives of various286W interests there. No representations have been received from the Chinese community in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps will be taken to ensure that no citizen of Hong Kong is rendered stateless by any change in British nationality law or change in the status of the territory itself.
§ Mr. RaisonThe citizenship acquired by birth or other connection with Hong Kong is that of the United Kingdom and Colonies. Paragraph 35 of the White Paper on British nationality law (Cmnd. 7987) summarises the classes of people in a dependency who it is proposed shall acquire citizenship of the British Dependent Territories when new legislation comes into force; and it is made clear in paragraph 28 that no one who is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies immediately before the new Act comes into force will be left without one of the newly created citizenships. There are no plans to change the status of Hong Kong.