limited to the span of a generation. But a decision on
the passport could affect sentiment: among Hong Kongers
about the agreement with China and their status after
rec 1997.
>
Conclusion
11. There is no ideal solution. There is some risk
that the recommendation could give rise to difficulties
for British nationals with EC rights, though since the
old passport will not be phased out entirely until
1997, it seems unlikely that they would be acute for
some years.
But Ministers will no doubt consider that
the political cost of proposing to issue an entirely
different passport means that this risk must be
accepted.
P S Fairweather
European Community
Department (Internal)