§ Lord Wyatt of Weefordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many registrations as British citizens have been made and in what circumstances and categories under the powers contained in Section 4 of the British Nationality Act 1981; and how many of these registrations were of persons resident in Hong Kong and in what categories; and
(i) how many applications have been made for registration as British citizens from residents in Hong Kong and in what categories; (ii) how many times have the residential qualifications in the United Kingdom normally required been waived or varied in accordance with the discretion provided in Section 4; (iii) where were the persons originally resident for whom such residential qualifications were waived; and (iv) how many of such waivers or variations of residential requirements were applicable to residents of Hong Kong and in what categories.
Earl FerrersI regret that information is not available in the form requested. From 1st January 1983 to 31st March 1989, the number of successful applications for registration under Section 4(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 on the basis of residence in the United Kingdom is 14,544. No information is available to show how many of those applicants were resident at any previous time in Hong Kong, or in how many of those cases discretion was exercised over excess absences from the United Kingdom. From 1st January 1983 to 31st March 1989 the number of successful applications by serving or former Crown Servants in Hong Kong under Section 4(5), for which residence in the United Kingdom is not a requirement, is 59. All were resident in Hong Kong at the time of application.