Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) HSBC and (b) Standard Chartered on the impact of their policies on not recognising the British National (Overseas) passport as a valid document on the ability of Hong Kongers with a British National (Overseas) passport to access their pensions.

We are aware of the difficulties British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status holders are experiencing in seeking early withdrawal of their pension held by the Mandatory Provident Fund in Hong Kong. The root of the problem is the Chinese Government's decision not to recognise the BN(O) passport as a valid identity document in Hong Kong.

The Government firmly opposes the discrimination of BN(O)s in this way and will continue to urge the Hong Kong authorities and all relevant bodies to facilitate early drawdown of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently. The conduct of UK banking institutions is not a matter for the Home Office, but I have asked my officials to raise this matter with HM Treasury.