TNAG-2971-FCO40-4250-Future-of-Hong-Kong-transfer-of-UK-related-records-from-Hong-1993 — Page 12

CODE 18-77

Reference

MILD 444 T2

NTN 340/393/3

RECE

- 3 DEC 1993

Mr Woodrow (HKD, WH312)

.:STRY

Taber

37

TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS AND RECORDS TO BCG_HONG KONG

1.

L

Your minute of 18 November about the proposed meeting on 29 November to discuss the above subject refers.

2. Paragraph d) of your minute asked about the progress of the review of passport handling worldwide and its implications for Hong Kong. The Consular Review has come to no conclusions on the future of passport handling. The UKPA is currently under- going a searching review of its own functions and future options, leaving it in no position to take on any responsibility for overseas applications in the foreseeable future. It follows that the HK BCG will be taking on passport issuing responsibili- ties as originally envisaged, with the proviso that London centred issuing can be looked at again as demand in Hong Kong increases.

3. As you are aware, NTCD have no difficulty with the nature of the records HKID propose to transfer or the proposed time scale, provided we have the appropriate staff (UK and LE) in place at the right time. However, there are two references in Francis Cheung's letter and its enclosure which mystify me. Para 6 of the letter refers to the "escape clause"; what is this? The other is the reference to the hitherto unheard of document called an SCNI.

T Rooney

Nationality, Treaty & Claims Dept

CL 510 270

4071

25 November 1993

presumably Channy

35

meant the clause relating to the acceptance of Cake applications.

cc: Mr Mulcahy, MVD

Mr Thomas, Consular Dept

TR59J