CODE 18-77
Mr Woodrow
HKD
reply
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3 N ember.
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OVERSEAS BN(0) APPLICATIONS
1.
Miss Ho's letter of 28 October and your manuscript minute of the same date refer.
2. We would find it difficult to reverse our practice on the concurrent holding of BDTC and BN (0) passports although I would not go so far as to state that such a reversal was impossible.
However, our requiring an applicant to expressly request the retention of his BDTC passport conforms with the Home Secretary's form of words in announcing this concession to the House of Commons and also follows UKPA practice. In these circumstances, I can only suggest that Hong Kong reconsider. After all, if it is made clear to applicants both in the publicity and in the application forms which they complete that they may elect to keep their BDTC passport if they so wish, and they do not exercise their right to do so, they will have only themselves to blame. I do not understand why this would be unacceptable to LegCo and the public. Certainly, if anybody is to change their practice, it must be Hong Kong since they are out of line with the terms of the Home Office concession.
3.
As I have already indicated to you, we have no objection to Hong Kong supplying overseas applicants direct with application forms if they so wish. However, as they themselves acknowledge, there could be difficulties in providing accurate advice on the passport fee and internal postage. This in the long run could cause more delay for applicants than if they obtained their application forms from the overseas posts in their country. Turning to the complaints about Washington, I assume that large numbers tried to telephone the Embassy who have reported that their switchboard was inundated. This is probably a temporary blip but I should also point out that the application forms may also be obtained from the other Consulate General in the United States although all applications must be directed to Washington who are the only passport issuing post in the country.
4. I have already told you that certain of our posts are being inundated with BN (0) applications. Canberra have indicated that they can probably manage on their present establishment although they will be stretched; both Ottawa and Washington might well need reinforcements which will not be available in the present financial climate. We will keep you
informed.
n. Monis
NJ Morris
Nationality, Treaty and Claims Department CL511 270 4070
1 November 1993
MIRD 340/1
RECENS
9 NOV 1993
INut
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