To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been made in Hong Kong in each year since 1985 for naturalisation as British dependent territories citizens; and how many have been (a) granted, (b) refused and (c) are still pending.

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions are taking place on the provisions of the British Nationality Order under the Hong Kong Act 1984 on the acquisition of British national (overseas) status.

Discussions have been taking place between Her Majesty's Government, the Hong Kong Government and members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. We expect to have further discussions with a delegation from the Legislative Council House Committee in London this week.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to alter either the time in which applications are permitted or the method of application for British National (Overseas) status for British dependent territories citizens in Hong Kong.

Work is in hand to prepare a draft Order in Council requiring applications for British National (Overseas) status to be made in time to allow the necessary work to be completed before the powers to register such applicants and issue them with BN(O) passports lapse on 1 July 1997. It is proposed to specify deadlines according to age group with provision for late applications to be considered where there are special circumstances. We have no plans for any change in the method of application.