Strange symbol on cover of UK Passports.

Dear Sir or Madam,
Statutory request for information made pursuant to access to
information legislation, such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and
the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

This request relates to the gold printed symbol on the front of a
UK Passport. It resembles a rectangle, split in half with a filled
in circle at the centre.
Please reply quoting the reference numbers below so it is clear
which reply is being given to each request, thank you.

1)Recently I observed this symbol on the cover of a friends newish
Passport that is not on my older Passport. When was this addition
added to UK Passport covers?
2)What does this symbol signify and to what does it pertain?
3) I believe this symbol is also on USA Passports, is this so?
4) What other Countries and what Organisations are using this
symbol?
5) Does this symbol denote allegiance or duty or joinder by the
Passport holder to whatever the symbol represents or to some entity
or rules?
6) Does this symbol effectively or attempt to put the Passport
holder into a specific jurisdiction or control? If so what
jurisdiction or control?
7)Does this symbol denote allegiance or duty or joinder by the
United Kingdom (in whatever guise) to some arrangement or some
entity or set of rules or guidelines?

If FOI requests of a similar nature have already been asked could
you please include your responses to those requests. 



If exemption is sought from disclosure, with reference to section
31 [Law Enforcement]; then can you please provide full details as
to the reasons – as well as considering under section 16, how I can
refine the request, so that the information can be released.
I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have
received this request, and I look forward to hearing from you
within the 20-working day statutory time period. 


Thank you,
regards, James Pil.
Pharmassay Int'l Ltd.