CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE
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4. The format of the BN (0) passport will be the same as that
issued by Consular posts to other British nationals. Such posts
at present issue the traditional blue hard covered passport and
the first BN (0) passports are likely to be issued in that format.
5. There will however be a change in the format of all British
passports as a consequence of the decision to give a common
format to the national passports of European Community Member
States. Once that change has been made, and the exact timing has
yet to be settled, the BN (0) passport will be the same as that
issued by Consular posts (and by the UK Passport Offices) to
those British nationals who are not UK nationals for EC purposes. This passport, like the proposed common European Community
assport will be burgundy red, soft covered and of smaller size than the present document. On the cover is likely to be the
wording "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" the Royal Emblem and "Passport" and the wording on the inside cover will refer to "Her Brittanic Majesty's Secretary of State". In all these respects the passport is likely to be very similar
to the document issued to those British nationals who are UK
nationals for European Community purposes but the latter will in addition contain the words "European Community" on the cover. 6. Open square brackets. Hong Kong to indicate whether they intend to change to new format for BDTC passports but with Hong Kong on the cover and the Governor's rubric or if they will use up existing stocks of the present hard blue document. Close .square brackets.
rice of the BN (0) Passport
7. A fee will be charged for the BN (0) passport under the Consular Fees Act 1980 (not the Hong Kong Immigration Regulations) and will be standard for all UK passport issuing posts around the world, save for variations arising from rates of currency exchange. The level of the fee has not yet be en
decided.
8.
The