RESTRICTED
Such Consuls do not appear to have to refer the applications to London if the applicant does not satisfy the long string of qualifications mentioned in paragraph 5 above, and the two week delay while Hong Kong Special Branch make their investi- gations is also avoided.
8. A final and very annoying hazard is that the British authorities allegedly make it mandatory for the Hong Kong Immigration Department, on each and every occasion that the holder of a Certificate of Identity wants to travel to Britain, for him to produce his return airline ticket together with a guarantee of his financial standing. This formality has to be gone through even if the applicant is a wellknown and wealthy citizen, and even if he travels very frequently to the United Kingdom. As far as I can make out multiple visas are not issued for entry to the United Kingdom in the way that European and American Consuls are willing to issue multiple visas for entry to their countries.
9.
I should be most grateful if you would bring these questions to the notice of those concerned in the United Kingdom. Xy anxiety is of course that wealthy importers into Hong Kong are being deterred from visiting the United Kingdom and doing business there, by the immigration difficulties which we place in their way and which our competitors seem not to insist upon.
10. I hope that my facts are right in all details, but if by chance I have not got this complicated question word perfect, I trust that this will not detract from my main theme.
11. I am copying this letter to George Marshall in Export Services Branch of the Board of Trade.
Jawes ever,
Whe
(Y.P.V. Hannam)
Principal Trade Commissi oner
3.
RESTRICTED