TNAG-1405-FCO40-1880-Future-of-Hong-Kong-passports-and-visas-1985 — Page 98

DARK,

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

Telephone 01-

File. HKK 040/28.

-3 JUN 1985

i 233 3722

(60)

JF Nicholson Esq

Home Office Passport Department

Clive House

70-78 Petty France

LONDON

SW1H 9HD

Zear Jim,

3/410

noted 616.

days

4

Your reference

Our reference

3 June 1985

Date

HONG KONG: BN (0) STATUS: PASSPORTS MATTERS

Memorandum

(57)

1. We spoke about Hong Kong telno 980 which can be fully understood only in the context of the Executive Council (EXCO)

to which it refers. A copy of this is enclosed.

EXCO have endorsed, with modifications, the views expressed in Hong Kong telno 603. The key points are as follows:

CREATION OF BN (0) STATUS

!

2.

3.

EXCO would like HMG to agree to create BN (0) effect from 1 July 1987. This would:

status with

(a)

(b)

give Hong Kong BDTCs, as from 1 July 1987 a choice between

and BDTC passports with BN (0) passports valid for 10 years, progressively shorter period of validity;

enable third countries, at an early stage, to become with the new

the passports and

implications of BN (0)

(c) reduce administrative burdens in Hong Kong.

FEES

a

familiar

status;

of the

4. You wil1 see that Hong Kong do not intend to charge any fee for registration as BN (0). They will charge only the normal passport fee. Item (j) of Hong Kong telno 603 suggests that these proposals will require an amendment to Section 42(1)(b) (i) BNA 1981. It also refers to the regulations under which Hong Kong charge fees for registration/naturalisation and the issue of passports. Copies of these documents, which you asked for in your letter of 11 January to Richard Hoare are

enclosed.

25

CONCURRENT RETENTION OF BDTC AND BN (0) PASSPORTS 5. We explained in para 3 of our telno 393 to Hong Kong that there could be no question of allowing persons to hold BDTC and BN(0) passports concurrently. However EXCO have pointed out that this may

in fact be necessary at the approach of 1997 eg to take account of unexpired visas.

to be a valid point. suitable arrangement could be made to take

Presumably,

some

This

to me seems

CONFIDENTIAL