CC Mr Fittall
Mr Hudson
Mr Hyde
Mr Phillips
Mr Lyon
Mr Fries
Mr JF Nicholson
Mr Powell (FCO)
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER
SECRETARY OF STATE
HACK 040/4
RECE:
IN RCOURTAY
31 JAN 1986
Lea.
Énan,
HOME OFFICE
QUEEN ANNE'S GATE
LONDON SWIH 9AT
220
Per
29
284
January 1986
In the course of the debate on 20 January on the nationality provisions of the Hong Kong Act 1985 I undertook to write to you on the passport questions you raised.
May I first of all confirm that a Hong Kong BDTC will not lose that status when he or she becomes a BN(0). Hong Kong BDTCs will retain that citizenship until 30 June 1997 whether or not they become BN(0)s unless they previously renounce or are deprived of it.
Turning to passport matters you asked three questions:
(a) why could not the individual hold a BN(0) and BDTC passport
concurrently since it might at least allow the holder to test the international acceptability of the BN (0) passport without putting his journey at risk;
(b)
was it not a curious situation where the individual was barred from holding a passport in one status because he was encouraged to hold one recording another status; and
(c) what would be the position if having obtained a BN(0) passport, the individual wished to revert to holding a BDTC passport.
The answer to the first question is that it is contrary to international passport convention to issue anyone with more than one current passport save in exceptional circumstances eg where travel to incompatible countries is involved or where we are satisfied that much travelled businessmen would be seriously inconvenienced since their passport often is lodged with foreign embassies for visa purposes. Increasing the number of passports available to the individual brings with it increased risk of loss, theft and abuse so undermining effective immigration control. We are concerned also that British nationals should not get into trouble at foreign ports: we are aware that many countries object to possession of more than one document and in one country at least it is a criminal offence. These concerns underly our proposal that BN(0) and BDTC passports should not be held at the same time.
I note your suggestion that holding both passports might give the traveller confidence in testing the international acceptability of the BN (0) passport. Apart from the international practice which I have already explained, we
The Lord Geddes
/believe that to.....