Issuing Policy
10. Hong Kong are preparing application forms for BN (0) passports
and explanatory leaflets setting out the options available to Hong
Kong BDTCs and the consequences of failing to obtain a BN(0)
passport by 30 June 1997. It will be open to people to apply for a
BN(0) passport at any time after 1 July 1987 but before a cut off
date (yet to be determined). BDTC passports for those who wish them
will be issued with validity restricted to 30 June 1997. In order
to protect against abuse it will not be possible to hold
simultaneously BN (0) and BDTC passports.
Summary
11. Ministers are invited:
to note that:'
a) the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary will assume
responsibility for the issue of BN (0) passports in Hong Kong
using the Governor as his agent;
b) UK passport offices and consular posts will also issue BN (0)
passports;
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c) the format of the BN (0) passport is bound up in our decision
to produce the British passport in a common European Community
format. It may or may not be machine readable depending on