TNAG-2934-FCO40-4209-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1993 — Page 50

CONFIDENTIAL

156

155646

MDHOAN 4252

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO DESKBY 150100Z HONG KONG

TELNO 579

OF 141651Z JUNE 93

153)

YOUR TELNO 952: PASSPORT ARRANGEMENTS

TOP COPY Q DIST?

1. We appreciate the pressure you are under to demonstrate that HKG is working quickly to implement the Home Secretary's concession on retaining passports issued to British Dependent Territory Citizens. But we want to avoid a piecemeal approach. We need more time to discuss internally in Whitehall a number of detailed technical questions thrown up by the Home Secretary's agreement (including those in TUR), and to coordinate (with you and within Whitehall) the approach to be taken. We anticipate that this exercise will take at least 5 working days.

2"

We are faxing to Vickers (Security Branch) Kelly's minute of 14 June to Mrs Barnes Jones detailing Home Office's initial thoughts. We would welcome your early reactions.

3.

Meanwhile you may wish to take the following line with applicants (and with LegCo members, the press etc):

''A number of detailed technical arrangements need to be made in order to implement the Home Secretary's decision to permit BDTCs to hold passports for both forms of nationality. The Home Office have already begun work on this, and we should shortly be able to make known the new arrangements''.

HURD

HICD 340/1

3487

YYYY

MAIN

40

HKD

FED

NTCD

RE

16 Ju. 1993

DISTRIBUTION!

40

IN.

LEGAL ADVISERS

RAD

CONSULAR D

NEWS D

PAGE

PS/MR GOODLAD

MR HUM

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CONFIDENTIAL

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