Mr Stephenson
Ref:
2
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BRITISH PASSPORTS
1.
Mr Howard Young, a Hong Kong Legislative Councillor, recently called on Mr Hum, AUS for, among others, Hong Kong Department. Mr Young expressed his concern that "even among Britain's Community Partners, France and Germany still insisted on visas". He wondered if there was any more we could do to persuade the French and German authorities to change their minds. We spoke and you requested a paper on British Passports.
2. There are two different types of British passports currently being issued - the common format one which bears the words European Community at the top of the front cover and the "lookalike" one which is issued to all British nationals who are not eligible to hold the common format one (in other words, British Overseas Citizens (BOC), British Dependent Territory Citizens (BDTC), or British National (Overseas) (BN(0)). Most "Hong Kongers" are BDTCS although they can register to be BN (O)s before 1997.
3.
The common format passport is issued only to persons who are regarded as UK nationals for European Community purposes ie those who enjoy the right of free travel and employment within the European Community.
4.
Holders of "lookalike" passports will have one of two distinct endorsements in their passports. Either "Holder is subject to control under the Immigration Act 1971" or "Holder is entitled to readmission to the UK". It is not possible to generalise on which endorsement "Hong Kongers" will have in their passports. It depends on individual circumstances.
5. I find it difficult to argue that we should approach the Germans and the French to obtain visa-free travel for individuals who are subject to UK Immigration Control and thus not returnable to the UK. (But they are returnable to Hong Kong). Our role should, I believe, be limited to supporting whatever approach the Hong Kong Government makes to the countries concerned. I should be grateful for your advice.
A C Stephens
2 February 1993
cc J Woodrow Esq, HKD
R'
HKD 345/3.
12 FE. 1993
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