DSR 11C
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dvisers
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Governor of Hong Kong and show the name of the dependent
territory on the front cover. It is therefore our intention
that BN(O) passports issued in Hong Kong should be identical
in all respects to those issued by our consular passport-
issuing posts overseas and should be issued under the
Foreign Secretary's exercise of the royal prerogative and not
the Governor's. We have obtained Legal Advisers' opinion
that they see no legal or other objection to the Secretary
of State authorising the Governor of Hong Kong to act on his
behalf in this matter. It has been suggested that this
should be done by means of a despatch or formal letter, the
best timing for which would probably be after the passage of
the nationality Order-in-Council relating to Hong Kong
(Spring 1986) and the entry into force of the Order
(1 July 1987). We have not yet submitted to FCO Ministers
on this subject as we have been waiting for clarification of
certain financial aspects described below.
FINANCIAL ASPECTS
6. At present passports issued in Hong Kong are ordered by the Hong Kong Government through the Crown Agents, are issued in the name of the Governor, and attract an issue fee under a
Hong Kong Fees Ordinance. This fee is currently HK$200, equivalent to about £19.50, as against the UK passport fee of £15. The Hong Kong Government retains the income from
these fees. They have estimated that their administrative
costs (less the material cost of the passports) account for about 40% of the fee, but we believe this may be an under-
estimate.
7. When passports are issued in Hong Kong on the authority of the Secretary of State the UK passport fee will be charge-
1980 able under the Consular Fees Act 1980 and the appropriate
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