TNAG-1557-FCO40-2121-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 36

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substandard.

It is clearly within the 'family' of British passports,

and with the traditional passport it is issued with the authority

of "Her Brittanic Majesty's Secretary of State". It differs only from

the common EC format in the removal of EC references. It is the same

passport as will be issued to others who are not UK nationals for EC

purposes and the holder's right of abode in Hong Kong will be clearly

endorsed in the passport.

(iv) Too many passport formats for Hong Kong

This is not a problem. A great deal of change is underway around the

world in passport format. There will be four types of passport issued

in Hong Kong until the end of the century; in the UK we shall have three

in other EC states there will be at least two; and in the United States,

Canada and Australia also at least two as they change to machine

readable passports.

Properly explained as we intend, none of this poses a problem. The

essential thing is that third countries understand the rights of the

BN(0) status and, as will be the case, that the right of abode is

clearly stated on the passport.

Issuing Policy

3.

The detail has yet to be confirmed and work on preparing

application forms and explanatory leaflets is underway. The essentials

of the policy will however be:

a) full 10 year validity BN (0) passports ie, valid beyond 1 July 1997

for those who opt for them. Where people opt for BDTC (HK) passports

these will be restricted to 30 June 1997 at which point the status

lapses; and

b) people may not hold BN (0) and BDTC (HK) passports at the same time,

in order to prevent abuse of passports.

D3.2