September 2011 • V ol 26 • No 8
In This Issue
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Global Logistics
Passport from
Pimlico By Sam Powney
If
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Remembrance and Reconciliation
you hold a British passport, at one
wait, and in some cases, added uncertainty
visitor through immigration on a passport with
time or another you may well have visited
over postal delivery, mean that many UK
less than six months until its expiry.
the Passport and Identity Service centre in
citizens could be forced to return to the UK
London. It’s an unprepossessing but efficient
when their passports are about to run out.
Mr. Hammerbeck wrote to UK Secretary of
office, located just behind Victoria Station and
Understandably, this is a prospect dreaded
State for Business, Innovation and Skills,
curiously close to the setting of the classic
by frequent travellers and their employers;
Vince Cable MP in August, voicing the local
British comedy, ‘Passport to Pimlico’. And,
airline pilots and busy executives will likely
British business community’s concerns,
like it or not, it’s possible that before long
face the most severe inconvenience.
and suggesting two possible alternative and
you might have occasion to use the London passport office again.
mitigating measures. Firstly, he suggests The economic necessity for cutbacks is
that the old passport could be retained until
clear, indeed even some of the regional
the new passport arrives, ‘There would be
Perhaps you’ve already heard the rumours:
passport offices in the UK are being curtailed.
marginal costs attached to this, but they
plans are in place to close down the passport
Christopher Hammerbeck, Executive Director
should be sustainable if locally employed
issuing service at the British consulate in
of the British Chamber of Commerce in
staff operate the system,’ he writes. The
Hong Kong. Following the closure of former
Hong Kong explains that the Chamber well
second suggestion is for the government to
passport issuing services from Bangkok
understands the reasons for centralisation,
offer a premium fast-track system, as already
to Brussels, passport renewal has been
‘The UK is going through a severe period
exists within the UK. The Chamber believes
concentrated in six centres worldwide, one
of government austerity, added to which
that the corporate world would be prepared
of them being Hong Kong; but the last stage
passports are of course highly sensitive
to pay the additional fees if a guaranteed
of the government plan apparently involves
documents and have become increasingly so
premium were available. This kind of scheme,
centralising all passport issuance within the
with the spread of terrorism and identity fraud.
Hammerbeck writes, could cover costs and
UK itself. When the change is to come has
We all appreciate the fact that savings have
perhaps even run a surplus.
not yet been announced, but the British
to be made, efficiency has to be achieved,
business community is already warning of
and new passport technologies have to be
There is a growing momentum of British
damaging ramifications.
integrated; but there needs to be a proper
business interests counselling against the
understanding of the implications this has to
present plans. Besides the major companies
Holders of a British or British National
business. We as a Chamber have taken this
affected, the British Chambers of Commerce
(Overseas) passport nearing expiry (or full with
up as a business issue, rather than just as a
in South East Asia have taken the matter
visas and immigration stamps), would have to
passport issuance concern.’ Many Chamber
up with the Prime Minister’s office, and the
send it back to the UK and wait roughly two
members have to travel constantly around the
overarching British Chambers of Commerce,
to four weeks for a new one to come through
region, frequently at short notice. They often
based in the United Kingdom, are also
the post. The hurdles are obvious to almost
need a range of visas which are costly and tied
pursuing the issue. Hopefully, with some
anyone who has lived abroad. Perhaps most
to the original document, making it impractical
concerted persuasion from the British
immediately problematic, in several countries
to rely on a second passport or temporary
business sector, getting a passport renewal
Plus
in this region, being without a passport for
travel document. Making the situation even
won’t necessarily mean taking a trip down
• News • New Appointments • Shaken Not Stirred
any time at all is completely illegal. The long
more complex, some countries will not allow a
Pimlico way.
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Lifestyle
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