R.
IS/86 22/47/1
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr.
Kiff xx
910
Mr Nicholson
Passport Department
сс
Mr Fries Mr Lyon
Mr McDonough
Mr Smith (HKD FCO)'
Mr Marcelin (NTD, FCO)
BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORE ISSUED IN HONG KONG
Thank you for your note dated 17 June. I am afraid that due to frequent absences from the office I have not been able to respond more quickly.
The detection of abuse of British Passports by Hong Kong Chinese has increased. This may be due partially to an increase in awareness of Immigration Service staff but I tend to the view that it is probably more due to an increase in abuse. The methods are varied and include the use of unaltered documents belonging to citizens with the right of abode (both fraudulent application and impersonation of the rightful holders have been encountered) and the fraudulent use of BVPS.
My view, therefore is that we should aim for the highest degree of security possible. I would favour pre-printing of documents before. despatch, though pre-stamping might be a reasonable substitute.
A compromise solution would be to print the blank documents with a special suffix or prefix to indicate that they were issued in Hong Kong. The issue could then be monitored as you suggest, but we would also have the safeguard that the place of issue would be obvious. This need not be as blatant as the letters 'HK' but simply something unique.
Whether or not the pre-stamping option is chosen, I would recommend that carefully designed stamps with suitable safeguards be used to make the appropriate endorsements within. As an additional precaution consideration could be given to the use of Ultra-Violet light reactive ink. The stamp pads would then need to be kept under secure conditions.
هيام
C B Manchip 17 July 1986
INT
Immigration Service Headquarters
HKK 340
REGISTRY
3 1 JUL 1986
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taken
CONFIDENTIAL
I spoke to Da Nicho Com.
Pre-pointing
which
is not an option,
coves our ma in concerns.
Pre-stamping is portably out also
because of the work involved. The most likely
mease
مند
to the
unique suffix or prefix
number. Special inte phantly not necessary. de
pomport
Nicholson will let us knows what he decides.
ра
pa MON
23/1