The British Nationality Scheme
10.
Referring to the question raised by Members at the previous meeting, Mr KWOK reported that a total of 16 581 passports had been issued to principal applicants and dependants as at end 1992. These passports were issued by the Home Office Team in Hong Kong from the stock of passports shipped to Hong Kong from the United Kingdom. They were serial numbered for reference purpose. One could not tell from the serial number of the passport whether it was issued under the BNS because the Home Office Team in Hong Kong also provided service to British nationals in Hong Kong. In fact 6 759 of the passports issued by the Hong Kong Home Office Team were issued to expatriates who renewed their British passports in Hong Kong.
11.
Members said that there were concern that holders of BNS passports may be victimized in future because the Chinese authority did not recognize such passports. They felt that everything should be done to ensure that the passports issued under the BNS could not be easily identified. Passports shipped to Hong Kong should be in random and not in blocks of number. Mr KWOK undertook to convey Members' concern and suggestion to the Home Office. He would also try to find out from the Home office whether holders of passports issued under the BNS could change their British passports by mail in United Kingdom before the passports ran out.
12.
As the Administration was in broad discussion with the British Government about the second tranche of the BNS, Members suggested and Mr KWOK agreed to discuss the subject at the next meeting scheduled for 9 February 1993 at 2:30 p.m. Mr KWOK would prepare a paper for Members' consideration prior to the meeting.
(Post-meeting note: the meeting has been re-scheduled for 3:45 p.m. on 11 February 1993.)
Nationality of wives and widows of ex-servicemen
13.
Ms Emily LAU informed Members that the list of wives and widows of ex-servicemen provided by Mr Jack Edwards had been forwarded to the Administration. Dr Simon Vickers said that they would cross-check the information in the list with theirs.
There being no other business, the meeting was
14.
adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
The OMELCo secretariat
5.2.1993
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