E.R.
(c) Role of UK Passport Offices and of Consular Posts
Regulations would have to be drawn up, following from the Order in Council, setting out exactly where applications for registration ought to be made and the forms to be used. Drafting of the regulations could not begin until some practical issues were resolved.
It would not be acceptable for UK offices and consular posts to refer all registration/passport applications to Hong Kong for action. The need to obtain a Hong Kong identity card permitting a right of abode endorsement in the passport, which was part of the argument for leaving all processing to be done in Hong Kong, could be divorced from the act of BN (0) registration. Our offices and posts should therefore, be prepared to effect registration, and issue the passport; additionally they could offer to forward to Hong Kong applications for identity cards and to make suitable endorsements on the passports on return. Hong Kong's views on the practicality of this would be sought.
It was confirmed that while there was no specific reference in the draft Order in Council, consular officers were empowered to register/issue passports as staff of the Secretary of State.
MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG
13. FCO had arranged for representatives of the Hong Kong Government to come to London near the end of July to finalise the draft Order, with a view to putting it to EXCO.
It was agreed that a meeting would be held in the Home Office on 29 July, chaired by Mr Hyde, and attended by representatives from the Home Office, the FCO and Hong Kong.
SUMMARY
14. It was agreed that:
(a) FCO would put the revised draft Order in Council to Hong Kong, together with the commentary and supportive documents for comments.
(b) Hong Kong would be invited by the FCO to comment in writing as soon as possible.
(c) Hong Kong's comments on the draft would be discussed at a meeting in the Home Office on 29 July.
(d) FCO would pursue the question of fees and costs for the BN (0) passport. Hong Kong would be consulted.
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