TNAG-1609-FCO40-22131-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 169

13 Sir,

I would like to remind those faced with the choice of

applying for a BDTC passport or a BN(0) passport that the

validity of a BDTC passport will not run beyond 30 June 1997

and they will have to change to a BN (O) one before that date

if they wish to continue to travel on a British travel

document. By contrast, the BN (0) passport will be valid for a full

years On-years. It will also, don't forget, be a proof of

nationality.

24

Sir,

Finally, on the acceptability of the BN (0) passport,

the British Government explained the new passport to the

governments of 141 countries in the world. The Hong Kong

Countrica Government explained it to the 73 with representatives in Hong

Kong. A passport is a travel document that by international

convention must be assumed to be acceptable unless a country

states otherwise. The important point is that no country has

said it will not accept the BN (0) passports.

With these remarks, Sir, I support the motion.

Security Branch

Government Secretariat

Hong Kong

11 November 1987