CONFIDENTIAL
of
'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
We have three considerations in mind:
Ireland'.
(a)
the fact that British nationals without EC
rights are as entitled to our protection as
British nationals with EC rights makes it
desirable that the passports which are to
facilitate travel world-wide should be as
similar as possible to avoid officials of third
countries regarding the holders of non-EC
passports as of inferior status.
(b) if the old style stiff blue cover passport
was still issued to these groups the voci-
ferous minority in this country who resent
the introduction of the CFP would ask why they
too could not continue to have the old style
(c)
passport;
there would presumably be a cost penalty in
issuing a style of passport completely
different from the CFP;
More recently Dependent Territories have in fact been
offered the choice and those who have replied would
like to have a CFP-type passport.
3. There are however arguments why British nationals
without EC rights should carry a passport which is
visibly different from the CFP. There is a strong
move in the European Community for the reduction,
and if possible, the eventual abolition of controls at
intra-Community frontiers; a movement the CBI
support because of the implications for completing the
Common Market. As the Prime Minister pointed out at
the Brussels European Council, total abolition will not
CONFIDENTIAL
/be