2
iii) we think EXCO's concerns are in any case exaggerated. We here will have three types of passport in circulation for many years the traditional format, the cfp and the look-alike; other EC states will have two; the United States, Canada and Australia are in the process of changing to machine readable passports. So long as we can settle the question of right of abode endorsements for BN (0)s, we can see no cause for EXCO concern.
Hong Kong suggested also that we should consider the gratis issue of the new format to replace traditional formats obtained by BN (0)s. For the reasons given at (iii) above we believe the concerns here are unrealistic and we do not accept that gratis replacements are justified. We would wish to avoid the knock-on argument that old style passports issued to other British nationals were in some way devalued by the new format and that what was good for BN (0)s was good for them also.
Right of abode endorsements in BOC passports (Peking telegram 1626 of 11 November; Hong Kong telegram 2450 of 8 November
No doubt Hong Kong will describe their practice but we understand that BOCS resident in Hong Kong at present have at least a 'right to land' stamp in their passports and that other BOCs wishing to visit Hong Kong need to obtain a visa. If those BOCs resident in Hong Kong have an ID card presumably a reference to that could be agreed as an endorsement in their passports.
We endorse BOC passports 'subject to Immigration Control' and in some cases 'Right of readmission'. I cannot produce figures but we issue very few BOC passports and see fewer where the BOC is resident in Hong Kong. I discover some recollection in the London Passport Office that very occasionally a 'right to land in Hong Kong' stamp has been transferred in the UK to the new issue. We normally expect the country which gives a BOC residence to endorse this in the passport. Since, however, we are prepared to insert a right of abode endorsement in BN(0) passports issued by our offices, there would be no objection in principle, if it helped anyone, to our entering the appropriate endorsement in BOC passports also. This would be a reasonable service to offer Hong Kong and its residents for so long as it remained a Dependent Territory. Beyond 1997, however, it is clearly for the SAR to 'enter' residence endorsements in the same way as other independent countries.
I am copying this letter to your colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Robin Barnett (ECDI) and H Marcelin (NTD).
Your
ساهر
JF NICHOLSON