TNAG-1557-FCO40-2121-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 129

24.

readable.

Initially the passport is likely to be in the same format as is issued to

all British nationals. But your Lordships will be aware that the European Community has decided on a common-format passport for all Member States; and the Government has decided that the United Kingdom passport should be machine-

The format of British passports will therefore change as a result of these decisions. Like the proposed common format passport, the BN(0) passport will therefore in due course be burgundy red, soft-covered and smaller than the present blue document. On the cover will be the words "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", the Royal coat of arms and the word "Passport"; the wording on the inside cover will refer to "Her Brittanic Majesty's Secretary

of State".

25. BN(0) passports will contain an endorsement as to the holder's right of

abode in Hong Kong. I know that this has been a matter of particular concern to your Lordships. As the House already knows, the Chinese have agreed in principle that the wording of the endorsement should be as follows:

"The holder of this passport has Hong Kong permanent identity card No. (the number will be entered) which states that the

holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong."

The Chinese have also agreed in principle that in this context Hong Kong will mean Hong Kong before 1997, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after 1997. We expect to reach final agreement on this at the next meeting of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group in March.

26.

The agreed wording is clear and unambiguous, and is consistent with Section XIV of Annex 1 to the Joint Declaration. Its aim is to ensure that

BN (0)s will not need to carry their identity cards with them when they travel; the passport alone will guarantee the holder's returnability to Hong Kong. The Government are therefore confident that it will be acceptable to third countries. Once the Order is in place we intend to explain the significance

of the passport around the world. Your Lordships may know that we have already had encouraging responses to informal approaches from the United States, Australia and the European Parliament.

Conclusion

27. My Lords, the matters that we are debating today will have a far reaching

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