HC Deb 18 December 1995 vol 268 c967W
Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to determine the granting of right of abode status to Hong Kong citizens under the 50,000 key persons scheme; who determines such applications; and what right of appeal exists against refusal. [5846]

Mr. Kirkhope

Applications under the scheme are assessed in accordance with the criteria set out in the British Nationality (Hong Kong) (Selection Scheme) Order 1990—statutory instrument No. 2292—and Hong Kong (British Nationality) (Amendment) Order 1993—statutory instrument No. 1789. Points are scored for age, experience, education and training, proficiency in the English language, connections with the United Kingdom, public and community service, and special circumstances. Applications are considered by the governor, who makes recommendations to my right hon. and learned Friend. The Secretary of State is obliged to register as British citizens those recommended by the governor unless he has reason to believe that the person concerned is not of good character. There is no right of appeal but the Governor is always willing to consider any representations made about his decisions.

Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 December,Official Report, column 213, how many of the applicants for right of abode status in the United Kingdom under the key persons scheme have been approved.[5867]

Mr. Kirkhope

As at 9 December, 48,119 principal applicants had been registered as British citizens under the scheme.