NR 5ANB
هند
CONFIDENTIAL
HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE ON HONG KONG NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCIL
(a) Acceptability of BN(O) passports
[HMG should do their best to ensure that holders of BN (O) passports
will enjoy the same standing and visa-free access to third countries
as holders of BDTC passports. There should be no need to carry ID cards as well as passports.]
1.
to the need to ensure
A number of hon Members have referred
that BN(O) passport holders will enjoy the same
will enjoy the same freedom of travel as
currently enjoyed by BDTC passport holders .
2.
The freedom to travel is a matter of considerable importance to
the people of Hong Kong. This is borne out by public comment on the Nationality Order in Hong Kong, and more particularly by the debate in the Legislative Council, in which Unofficials called on HMG to do all that they could to ensure that holders of BN (O) passports enjoy the same standing and visa-free access to third countries as holders
of BDTC passports.
3.
are
Her Majesty's Government
very aware of this concern and will do all that they can to ensure that BN(O) passport holders enjoy the same access to other countries as that enjoyed at present by BDTC
passport holders.
The
LA
importance we attach
reason
early date:
in
one to this is
why we are introducing the new status at such an order to give immigration officers in third countries ten years to get used
to its endorsement in passports.
4.
We will be moving to explain the new status and new passport
endorsements to
third countries once the Order i s in place and
showing the new showing the new status are
are introduced in July 1987.
indication indication of right of abode to be included in the
before passports
Given the clear
CONFIDENTIAL