TNAG-1094-FCO40-1344-European-Community-common-format-passports-Hong-Kong-and-Dep-1981 — Page 26

CONFIDENTIAL

2.

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(vii)

Will Hong Kong citizens be the only holders of old-style British passports once the new EC format British passports are issued?

No. We intend to go on issuing old-style British passports to certain categories of UK residents (those without the right of free movement in the EC).

Will Britain be the only EC country to be issuing two different passports?

No.

The Germans intend to go on issuing old-style German passports to Berliners.

Is anything going to happen soon?

No.

We are refusing flatly to set a date for ar introduction of EC Common Format passports, so that we can synchronise it with going over to the ICAO format. It will begin, at earliest, in the mid to late '80s and it will take ten years to complete, since we will only issue EC Common Format passports as existing ones expire.

Is this a new commitment?

No. It was decided in principle in 1974. No Hong Kong complaints have been received.

Would it be possible for Hong Kong citizens to have a new passport which would be largely identical to the EC Common Format passport?

Yes, provided the words "European Community" and certain features, such as the other Community languages, were omitted, this should cause no difficulty.

D. Tanmay

DHA Hannay

5 March 1981

CONFIDENTIAL