Hong Kong Act 1985

Nationality

2(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision whereby—

(a)British Dependent Territories citizenship cannot be retained or acquired on or after the relevant date by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong; and

(b)persons who are British Dependent Territories citizens by virtue of any such connection may before that date (or before the end of 1997 if born in that year before the relevant date) acquire a new form of British nationality the holders of which shall be known as British Nationals (Overseas).

(2)An Order under this paragraph may require applications in respect of the new status mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b) above to be made before such time or times as are specified in the Order and may make provision whereby that status is to be held on and after the relevant date only by persons who are British Dependent Territories citizens immediately before that date.

(3)An Order under this paragraph may make provision for the avoidance of statelessness and may contain such supplementary, transitional and consequential provisions as appear to Her Majesty to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the Order, including provisions amending the [1981 c. 61.] British Nationality Act 1981 and any other enactment.

(4)No Order shall be made under this paragraph unless a draft of it has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.