TNAG-1405-FCO40-1880-Future-of-Hong-Kong-passports-and-visas-1985 — Page 233

hulu 57,

Mr McLoughlin

Miss Veale V. 7/1 Mr Partridge

なら

Reference....

Bicepy win Hernia itli-ö

The p

ит

3 ikat HKD Lift

17. Kage

life to see the.

cht 21,

H. KK04/2

Sivi

PA on 040/4

Тым

3)

CODE 18-77

MEETING WITH MR STEVEN KUO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, HONG KONG

1.

The meeting with Mr Kuo finally took place at the passport office on 4 January. Present were Mr Holmes and Mr Nicholson, Passport Department, Mr Emery, Home Office, Mr Kuo and myself.

2.

Mr Holmes put a number of questions to Mr Kuo, mainly concerning the issue of passports to Hong Kong BDTCs before 1 July 1997. The following points emerged:

a) Hong Kong Immigration Department are opposed to the issue of two passports, one showing the holder's status as BDTC, the other showing the new status. Mr Kuo said Hong Kong had the best forgers in the world and he was alarmed at the

He prospect of large numbers of passports being misused. recognised that UMELCO have different views however and that their views carry great weight. He hoped the new status could be introduced as soon as possible, ideally about mid 1986, because it was important that other countries become familiar with it.

b) Hong Kong would hope to introduce the new format passport at the same time as the UK. Mr Kuo was not sure about machine readability but hoped this would be possible as Hong Kong were well advanced in computerisation. Hong Kong were keen to try to introduce the new status and the new

Mr Holmes passport simultaneously, so timing was important. suggested Hong Kong might consider getting their new passport printed before UK production was set up by HMSO if timing made it desireable.

c) Mr Kuo hoped the registration procedure to acquire the new status would be played down. It was very unpopular, as

He was any suggestion that a registration fee be charged. was pleased to know that FCO and the Home Office were against the imposition of a fee.

d)

The registration document would be a tear-off slip forming part of the passport application form and it would be sent to Hong Kong by the passport issuing office for record purposes. A new passport application form would need to be designed possibly three if the Hong Kong application form was unsuitable for use elsewhere. Mr Kuo agreed to prepare a draft form for consideration.

-

e) Mr Emery pointed our that the Order-in Council amending the BNA 1981 would have to include provision for overseas posts to exercise the Secretary of State's, functions.

AM

/f)