§ Sir Ivan LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the status after 30 June of those ethnic minorities in Hong Kong who hold only British nationality. [14587]
553W
§ Mr. HowardI have carefully reviewed the position of the solely British ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, in the light of expressions of concern, in both Houses of Parliament here and in Hong Kong, that their nationality status will be uncertain after 30 June 1997. It is clear that the assurances which they have been given over a number of years have not allayed this concern. I therefore intend to make provision enabling them to apply for registration as British citizens, giving them right of abode in the United Kingdom, after 30 June 1997. I expect that the great majority of them will continue to reside in Hong Kong, where they have right of abode.