Dear Mr Gould

Thank you for your email dated 22 March 2009 in which you ask for a copy of the position paper referred to in the parliamentary question, reference HL6450, tabled by Lord Avebury called “Citizenship Denied: the Stateless British Children of Hong Kong” along with any response made by the Government.

After a thorough search of our files, I regret to inform you that the Home Office does not hold the information that you have requested. You may, however, be able to obtain a copy of this position paper from the author himself, Lord Avebury, at:

The Lord Avebury
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW

I would like to add that should you wish to raise specific questions in relation to the Government position on stateless British children born in Hong Kong then you should write directly to the Nationality Policy Team at the address noted at the head of this letter.

I would also like to take this opportunity to advise you that the Government is currently legislating via the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill to extend the scope of section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981 so as to include registration as a British citizen by British Nationals (Overseas) who are otherwise stateless. Further information about the content and progress of this Bill can be acquired by visiting http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2008-09/borderscitizenshipandimmigration.html.

If you are dissatisfied with this response you may request an independent internal review of our handling of your request by submitting your complaint within two months to the below address quoting reference 11552:

UKBA Complaints Unit

11th Floor, West Wing

Block 'C'

Whitgift Centre

Wellesley Road

Croydon

CR9 1AT

During the independent review the department's handling of your information request will be reassessed by staff who were not involved in providing you with this response. Should you remain dissatisfied after this internal review, you will have a right of complaint to the Information Commissioner as established by section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.

I realise that this response may be a disappointment to you. However I would like to assure you that a thorough search was conducted and that I am confident that we no longer hold the information you requested.

Yours sincerely

Miss C Bennett

Nationality Policy Team

North West Region