DEC 06 '85 14:32 TIB(OOU) HK GOVT
Government. The Secretary for Security has had
informal discussions on the acceptability of the new passport with a selection of consular representatives in Hong Kong in the past month. In the light of these discussions, we are confident that a right of
abode endorsement along those lines should satisfy immigration officials of third coutries of the
holder's right to return to Hong Kong without calling for the production of the identity cards themselves, the point addressed by Dr. Ho Kam-fai.
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As has already been said, and I come to this opinion because several Hon. members have pressed for a time scale, Her Majesty's Government will start approaching third countries formally after the Order
in Council has been made, probably in April next year, to explain the new BN (0) status, and to ensure that holders of BN (0) passports will enjoy the same access to third countries as holders of BDTC passports. The object will be, as Dr. Ho Kam-fai reminded us, to ensure that the BN (0) passport will be an effective travel document alone, and that existing entry agreements, especially visa abolition agreements, will continue to apply to BN (0) passport holders. As Members have pointed out, holders of
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