GRS 300
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
CONFIDENTIAL
HKK
TOP COPY
0+0/4
HALALIVE DIN REGISTRY
12 SEP 1985
PRK OFFICER
PA
TELNO 1381
OF 12040OZ SEPTEMBER 35
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
(325)
PEKING TELNO 1194 : HONG KONG AGREEMENT ENDORSEMENT IN BN(0) PASSPORTS.
Q
: RIGHT OF ABODE
AS A MONTH HAS ELAPSED SINCE THOMPSON SPOKE TO ZHAO REGARDING THE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT IN BN(0) PASSPORTS, WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF A FURTHER APPROACH COULD BE MADE TO THE HKMO, WITH A VIEW TO SECURING CHINESE AGREEMENT TO THE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, PREFERABLY BY MID-OCTOBER. ONE OF THE MAIN THEMES OF THE GOVERNOR'S OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 30 OCTOBER IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, AND UNDER THIS HEADING HE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF EN(0) PASSPORTS AND PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS STATING THE HOLDER'S RIGHT OF ABODE. THERE HAS SEEN CONTINUED PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE PRESENT POSITION REGARDING MINISTERIAL ASSURANCES GIVEN DURING THE DEBATE OF THE HONG KONG BILL IN PARLIAMENT IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR THAT HMG WOULD DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES THE WORDING OF A RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT IN SN(0) PASSPORTS TO OBVIATE THE NEED FOR THE HOLDER TO CARRY HIS PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD. IT WOULD BE VERY USEFUL THEREFORE IF THE GOVERNOR COULD SAY IN HIS LEGCO ADDRESS THAT AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT IN SN(0) PASSPORT HAS BEEN REACHED.
YOUDE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
RESEARCH D (FE)
D/HD PUSD
MR WILSON
COPIES TO:
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS
CONFIDENTIAL
394