CONFIDENTIAL
Scheme will depend on legislation passed by Parliament, and
will itself be set out in an Order in Council approved by
Parliament. Any significant change would also require Parliamentary approval.
11.
Do you intend to discuss the scheme further with the
Chinese authorities?
FCO to advise on answer.
12.
Is it true that there has been a poor response to the
international efforts to enlist other countries to offer
similar schemes? Can you give examples of a favourable
response?
FCO to advise on response.
13.
How many Home Office officials will be stationed in Hong Kong to help administer the scheme?
It is the intention to send a small UK team to Hong Kong to
issue registration certificates and supervise the issue of
passports; but details of the team not yet decided.
14. When will passports first be issued under this scheme?
Depends on progress in Parliament. Hope scheme will come
into operation quickly, and aim would be to start issuing
within a few months of scheme being approved by Parliament.
CONFIDENTIAL