TNAG-1559-FCO40-2123-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 95

c) what would be the position if having obtained a BN(0) passport, the

individual wished to revert to holding a BDTC passport.

The answer to the first question is that it is contrary to international

passport convention to issue anyone with more than one current passport save

in circumstances where travel to incompatable countries is involved or where

we are satisfied that much travelled businessmen would be seriously

inconvenienced since their passport often is lodged with foreign embassies for

visa purposes. Increasing the number of passports available to the individual

brings with it increased risk of loss, theft and abuse so undermining

effective immigration control. We are concerned also that British nationals

should not get into trouble at foreign ports: we are aware that many

countries object to possession of more than one document and in one country at

least it is a criminal offence.

These concerns underly our intended policy in the Hong Kong context and the

Hong Kong Government which accepts it indeed judged that third countries'

acceptance of the present BDTC passport issued under the Governors' discretion

as well as the BN (0) passport might be put at risk if we were to do otherwise.

I note your suggestion that holding both passports might give the traveller

confidence in testing the international acceptance of the BN (0) passport.

Putting to one side international passport practice which I have already

explained, however, I think that to allow this would suggest to third

countries that the UK did not itself have confidence in the BN (0) passport and

would therefore cause unnecessary difficulties in ensuring its acceptance. We

are confident that the BN (0) status and the passport which records it will be

recognised by third countries. As indicated in the course of my speech in the

debate already there have been helpful indications supporting this and as soon

as the Order is in place we intend to explain the significance of the passport

around the world.