TNAG-1406-FCO40-1881-Future-of-Hong-Kong-passports-and-visas-1985 — Page 26

(b)

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'European Community' and the other European

languages except French;

to issue a CFP-style passport distinguished in some more

visible way, either by an additional mark or different

colour.

5.

(c)

to continue to issue the old stiff blue cover passport

to all those British nationals without EC rights.

All three options have drawbacks. Our partners may argue

that the simple omission of the words 'European Community' from the

cover of the passport, as in option (a), would be insufficient

to allow ready distinction of British nationals with EC rights from

those without. Option (b) might be regarded as a second class

passport and, particularly because of the implicit warning

contained in its differential marking, give rise to difficulties

for the holder when he or she was dealing with officials in third

countries. HMG has the clear duty to protect the interests of these

people just as much as those who have EC rights. We would expect

this sentiment to be expressed both in the press and elsewhere

eg by Governors of Dependent Territories. Keeping the old style

passport (option (c)) could make it more difficult to secure

general acceptance of the CFP and would involve the extra cost of

maintaining production facilities for two completely different

types of passport. All three options thus pose potential

difficulties for HMG.

On balance, however, the issue of a CFP

without reference to the EC on the cover is likely to create the

least problems and to arouse the least public hostility.

Channel Islands/Isle of Man

6.

British citizens who have that status through a connection with

the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man have the right of abode

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