Mr Morris, NTCD
Reference
__MUD 340/1
REC
نا
19 OCT 1993
ICEF
259
INUE/
STATISTICS FOR BNO PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME
1. We spoke about HKG's standing request for monthly statistics from overseas posts to record applications received under the BNO registration programmes (FCO telnos 181 and 201 to Abidjan are commissioning telegrams).
2.
I spoke to Miss Ho in Security Branch about this. She explained that there is a pressing need, particularly during the first year of the programme, to monitor it carefully to make sure that registrations are in line with expectations. If they are not, they will need to advertise more widely. Security Branch has to report, including giving statistics, to the Hong Kong Legislative Council and to demonstrate that the programme is generally on track. The telegrams give them the information they need to do this. Miss Ho explained that for example she has yet to receive returns from Washington, Toronto and Ottowa all centres which could be expected to handle large numbers of applicants under the programme. She has now received a return from the UK Passport Agency (this too was outstanding until very recently).
3. I understand from our conversation that this requirement may be placing quite a burden on some of our posts. I did ask for this to be taken into account when HKG first asked us to institute this system, and it was decided to go ahead. As you can see the information really is of importance to Hong Kong. Can we therefore ask posts to continue? We could review the need for telegraphic returns say next July when HKG will have had a year to monitor the programme.
4.
I asked Miss Ho whether the system you referred to, whereby all BN (0) applications are forwarded to Hong Kong, is working. She undertook to check on this and get back to me.
hukumes tous.
210
(237
min.statis.NAT
JEB
CODE 18-77
Deborah Barnes Jones Hong Kong Department WH312 telno 2068
13 October 1993
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