8.
The effect of the endorsement agreed in principle with the Chinese was discussed.
The Home Office and the FCO view was that this endorsement provided the clear assurance
that Hong Kong and the JCWI were seeking. Its aim was to ensure that people travelling
on BN (0) passports would not need to carry their Hong Kong Identity Cards with them.
FCO saw no problem in getting other countries to accept BN (0) passports with such an
endorsement. The United States and Australia had already indicated their acceptance of
the passport. It was understood that there might be some difficulty with Canada, but the
problem was not considered to be insuperable. The JCWI appeared to accept this.
SECTION 4(5) OF THE BNA 1981
9.
The JCWI had recommended extension of the provisions of section 4(5) to other
than Hong Kong Crown Servants. They had gained the impression that section 4(5) was
seen in Hong Kong as the way in which Hong Kong Crown Servants would be able to acquire
British citizenship, and thus avoid the consequences of the nationality provisions of
the Agreement. They also wanted to know why the current applications were taking so long
and when they would be finalised. They reported that the feeling in Hong Kong was that
the Government was deliberately delaying dealing with these applications because they
were embarrassed by having to make a decision either way.
10. It was explained that Ministers had stated in Parliament during the passage of
the 1981 Bill that section 4(5) was to be used very sparingly. The criteriafor its use
was set out in the relevant Parliamentary Reports. Applications from Hong Kong were
being considered by reference to these criteria. A large number of applications had
been received, and they were currently under consideration. It was not possible to say
when they would be finalised, but there was no question of the Government deliberately
delaying them or being embarrassed by having to make the decision: it was simply
each application had to be individually and carefully considered.
that
VISA AGREEMENTS
The JCWI had also pressed the Government to negotiate visa abolition agreements
with third countries.
11.
12.
The FCO explained that the Government's intention was to secure the same rights
of access to third countries as is currently enjoyed by BDTCs. No formal application
would be made to other Governments before the Order in Council was made. Once this was
done, the FCO would actively promote the BN (0) passport throughout the world.
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