65
which Hong Kong people travel most often have publicly stated that they will treat the BN (O) passport in the same way as they do BDTC passports; and this includes the
continuation of visa free arrangements where these exist. No government has said that it will not accept for entry to its territory travellers holding the BN (0)
passport.
133.
I am aware that there has been public concern
about the validity of the BN (0) passport. The fact that not every country in the world has issued a statement on their acceptance of the passport is not significant. One would not expect them to do so. The BN (0) passport is a
British passport issued under the authority of the Secretary of State. As with any passport it is assumed that other countries will accept it as a valid travel
document. In the rare event that they do not do so, it
is for them to make this clear. I see every reason to believe that people using the new BN (0) passport will be
able to travel as widely and easily as they do now on
BDTC passports.
134.
(b)
Computerised Immigration Control
It is also important to travellers that they
should be able to move in and out of Hong Kong quickly
and conveniently. In May this year computer systems were
introduced at the immigration control points at the Macau
/Ferry
le.