Mrs Wei
Security Branch
HKD 348/4
CONDI
EC COMMON FORMAT PASSPORT ENDORSEMENT
1.
207
$10/4
Har Hague
나2018
During my recent visit to the UK I discussed a number of Hong Kong related issues with the Passport Agency.
2.
My contact there, Mr T Lonsdale, confirmed that once the British Consulate General has been established in Hong Kong the issuing endorsement appearing in all passports issued here, including EC format BC documents, will be
"British Consulate General, Hong Kong".
This will mirror what I understand to be the standard practice applied outside the UK whereby consular issuing posts endorse their name as the issuing authority.
3. Thus the special arrangement approved by Ministers for the UK Passport Agency endorsement to appear in BC passports issued in Hong Kong under the auspices of the HONT will cease with effect from 30 June 1997. I am giving you early warning of this so that you can consider whether this change of practice is likely to cause any difficulties for scheme beneficiaries.
4. I suppose that it would in theory be possible for Ministers to extend beyond 30 June 1997 the unique practice devised for Hong Kong on the basis that it would be as acceptable for FCO staff to act in the name of the Passport Agency as it is for Home Office staff to do so. The difference is, of course, that the unique arrangement is justified now because there is no HMG post in Hong Kong conducting the full range of consular functions; after 30 June 1997 there will be and the general expectation will be that passport issue here will then follow standard practice in other parts of the world.
5. I should be grateful to receive your views in due course. I have mentioned the matter to the Hong Kong Department at the F&CO and am sending them a copy of this note. Copies also go to
B2 Division and the Passport Agency.
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J S PAGE HONT (HK)
9 August 1991
сс
Mrs Ching
Mr R Yates, B2 Division Mr J Morris, HKD, FCO.
Mr& hourivale, Panport Ageny
COMEDENTIAL