XN000022-1982-11-24 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1982

'BRITISH' TO APPEAR IN PASSPORTS FOR HK CITIZENS

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THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED THAT THE WORD 'BRITISH' WILL APPEAR OPPOSITE THE WORD "NATIONALITY ON THE FIRST PAGE OF ALL BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES PASSPORTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE REPORTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IMMEDIATELY UNDER THIS DESCRIPTION OF NATIONALITY THERE WILL BE A DESCRIPTION OF THE PASSPORT HOLDER'S CITIZENSHIP. IN THE CASE OF HONG KONG, AFTER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT BECOMES INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 1, 1983, THIS DESCRIPTION WILL BE +BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN, HONG KONG+.

SIR PHILIP SAID THESE DESCRIPTIONS DO NOT ALTER OR AFFECT EXISTING LAW SO FAR AS RIGHTS OF ENTRY TO, OR ABODE IN, THE UNITED KINGDOM OR ELSEWHERE ARE CONCERNED.

+BUT NATIONALITY AND CITIZENSHIP WILL BE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED IN PASSPORTS TO THE GREAT SATISFACTION, I AM SURE, OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE,+ SIR PHILIP SAID.

HE RECALLED THAT THE HON JOHN SWAINE HAD RAISED THIS SUBJECT IN THE RECENT DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL, AND, IN RESPONDING TO THIS LATER, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS HOPEFUL THAT, BEFORE TOO LONG, A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION OF THE POINTS AT ISSUE WOULD BE ACHIEVED.

+PUBLIC NOT LET DOWN+ FS

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THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT LET DOWN THE PUBLIC IN THE MONITORING OF THE OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES.

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BREMRIDGE SAID IT WAS NOT ONLY VALUABLE BUT ESSENTIAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO LISTEN TO PUBLIC OPINION. AT THE SAME TIME THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO ARRANGE FOR THE AVAILABILITY OF BASIC NECESSITIES.

+IT IS A GOOD THING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD SEEK TO DISCUSS THE COMPLICATED SCHEMES OF CONTROL, WHICH ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO US ALL. BUT BEYOND THE INTERESTS OF THEIR ORGANISERS, THE VALUE OF SIGNATURES OR PETITIONS CALLING FOR CHEAPER ELECTRICITY CHARGES IS HARD TO DESCRY. WHO WOULD NOT WISH FOR CHEAPER ELECTRICITY BILLS? OR FOR THAT MATTER CHEAPER FOOD OR TRANSPORT OR WATER?+ MR BREMRIDGE SAID. HE ADDED THAT IT MEANT NOTHING UNLESS THE PUBLIC WAS TOLD AT THE SAME TIME HOW ELSE THEY WERE TO PAY IF NOT BY DIRECT CHARGES.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSISTENTLY BE PRODDED AS NOTHING WAS EVER PERFECT, INCLUDING SCHEMES OF CONTROL.