HL Deb 19 July 1989 vol 510 c901WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made any commitment to the Government of China—explicit, implicit or tactic—they will not offer the right of abode in the UK to any group, class or number of the people of Hong Kong.

Lord Trefgarne

The United Kingdom memorandum associated with the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 states that "British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTCs) will cease to be BDTCs with effect from 1st July 1997, but will be eligible to retain an appropriate status which, without conferring right of abode in the UK, will entitle them to use passports issued by the Government of the UK". No other statements of intention in respect of nationality and right of abode have been made by the Government to the Chinese Government.