TNAG-1374-FCO40-1820-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 4

We

those findings and, of course, any Hong Kong, any present BDTC passport holder will be able to take his own decision after '87 as to the stage at which he applies for a BN (0) passport. have absolutely no reason to doubt, and I would like to emphasise this, because I can well understand the concern on this point among people of Hong Kong, I know that Hong Kong people are very great travellers and they will want to know about the validity of the BN (0) passport. So I would like to reassure Hong Kong people through you this morning that we have absolutely no reason to doubt whatsoever that this BN (0) passport will be widely acceptable and even if we can't give a specific guarantee, we will certainly be looking for acceptability the moment the passport comes into effect, but after 1997 as well.

QUESTION:

Broadcasting Corporation:

Mr Renton, Patricia Penn, Australian Once such a passport is issued, how

easy or difficult is it to modify it if it proves unacceptable?

MR RENTON:

First

I think that really is looking, if you don't mind my saying so, at the problem the wrong way round. of all, we do have no reason to doubt the acceptability of this

We will be, the passport internationally as I have just said. moment it is firmly in place, we will be going through all the discussions that are necessary with other countries to accept to ensure its acceptability, and as I said, those whose BDTC passports expire, for example in '88-'89, they will be able to take their decision as to whether they apply for BN (0) passport at that stage or whether they renew their BDTC passport until 197 to see in those intervening months, to make absolutely certain that regulations concerning no necessity for having visas, for example, to certain countries that they are properly established,

Patricia

QUESTION: (by Penn) Excuse me, but with respect you don't answer my question, which is how easy or difficult is it to modify a passport.

MR RENTON:

Well, I am sorry, but I thought I was

saying, I don't expect it to be in any sense necessary to modify the passport because what we are doing is following on from agreements that were laid out very clearly in the Joint Declaration