Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with HSBC on steps to help people with British National (Overseas) visas access HSBC pensions managed in Hong Kong.

This Government is deeply committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK.

We are aware that individuals who have chosen to take up the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa route are having difficulties in drawing down early their pensions held in the Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF).

Whilst documentary requirements for withdrawing funds early are a matter for the Hong Kong authorities, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has raised this issue directly with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong MPF Schemes Authority. They have urged them to facilitate early draw down of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently and have made clear that any discrimination against BN(O)s is unacceptable.