(iv)
CONFIDENTIAL
Option C1. A variation of option (c) based on present
plans for the building. The Consulate General provides a passport service sufficient to meet the
first 5 years demand and sends the excess in peak
years to be processed by the Passport Agency in the
UK.
(v)
- A possible solution to deal with peak demand.
Gives us time to obtain more accurate figures for
expected peaks. There does not have to be a decision
now.
If peaks not so large as expected possible that
present building could cope. Managerial ways of dealing with situation (ie longer working hours, shift
work, reducing waiting areas by introducing postal
applications, removing one or two flats etc).
Option C2. For the first 5 years passports are issued
in Hong Kong. In the second 5 years applications are checked for accuracy and the fee taken in Hong Kong
but the applications are examined and the passports
issued in the UK by the Passport Agency.
Has the same problems of sending the passports to
the UK as in Option C.
Again no decision required now.
4. The Working Group decided that although Option B looked
unlikely further work on the financial implications needed to be done before a final decision on the suggested options could be
taken. The MRS proposed staffing requirements of the Consulate General were substantially different from those in the previously agreed Schedule of Requirements.
RFD calculated the
difference as 19 UK based and 861⁄2 LE staff. On this basis RFD
scwg.21may.NAT
SLM
CONFIDENTIAL