Limited Uk Multiple Entry/ Business Visit Visas

Just seen this announcement:

From 25th August 2006, multiple entry/ business visit visas will be issued for a period of 6 months or 2 years only, unless a person already holds a previously issued 5 year visit visa. The British Embassy in Bangkok will no longer be issuing 5 year or 10 year multiple entry visit/business visit visas until further notice, due to the introduction of biometrics.

Untenable excuse because there is already a procedure in place to deal with multiple-entry visas:

Transferring to new passport

If a traveller’s passport expires during the validity of the multiple entry visa, it may be transferred to a new passport for the remaining period without payment of a further fee. The visa on the expired passport should be cancelled.