TNAG-1406-FCO40-1881-Future-of-Hong-Kong-passports-and-visas-1985 — Page 226

SEE 109 Covering CONFIDENTIAL

110

Reference.

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Mr Escritt, Finance Dept.

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Mr Ehrman, HKD

) Separate ) Copies

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Mr Grainger, Legal Advisers

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thak 040/28

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DESA

INDEX

- 9 AUG 1985

ICHA

*A

Not identical'

- similar.

A

B

ISSUE OF BN (O) PASSPORTS IN HONG KONG

1.

pa..

It has been agreed that passports issued to British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(O)s), the new category of British national to be created in 1987 for ethnic Chinese British Dependent Territories citizens (BDTCs) connected with Hong Kong who will cease to be BDTCs in 1997, will be identical to those issued in the UK and at

Those issued overseas will be issued on consular posts abroad. the authority of the Foreign Secretary in his exercise of the royal prerogative.

2.

The vast majority of BN(0)s will be persons resident in Hong Kong, whose passports would normally be issued on the authority of the Governor in his exercise of the royal prerogative and would It is because such passports have "Hong Kong" on the front cover. would not be acceptable to the Chinese from July 1997 that 'consular' passports are to be issued.

3.

The first is the Two major points will need to be decided. method of empowering the Governor (and through him the Passport Office in Hong Kong) to issue passports in the name of the Secretary of State. Since there is no legislation or regulation governing the issue of passports, I assume that this might be done by a formal letter of authority from the Secretary of State to the

I shall Governor asking him to perform this service on his behalf. be grateful for any comments the Legal Advisers may have on this aspect.

4.

This

The second point relates to the financial arrangements. is likely to be more complicated and because of long term budget implications it is more pressing that it should be resolved soon. The question was touched on briefly in para 6 of FCO telegram Replying in para 1(F) of number 393 of 11.3.85 to Hong Kong. their tel no 603 of 26.3.85 Hong Kong proposed that the present system should continue, whereby they purchase passports via the Crown Agents and they collect their own fee under a Hong Kong Fees Ordinance to cover the issuing costs. As an alternative to purchase via the Crown Agents they suggested this might be done through the Passport Department of the Home Office, but Hong Kong

However, as the would continue to collect and retain the fees. passports for BN(0)s will be issued by the Secretary of State in the same way as passports issued by consular posts abroad, it would seem that the fees for these will have to be those laid down under the appropriate Consular Fees Order in force at the time.

CODE 18-77 AWO Ltd. 7/84

Covering CONFIDENTIAL

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