CONFIDENTIAL
obtaining reciprocal facilities for Hong Kong passport
holders: they are, we know, willing that the Germans
should be given an undertaking that any repatriation
costs of Hong Kong belongers would be met by the Hong
Kong Government; but it appears unlikely, having regard
to the policy of the Federal German authorities as dexcribed
above, that this approach will meet with any greater
success than previous similar approaches.
12. There is no formal agreement for the mutual abolition
of visas between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic
of Germany and the visa concessions for British passport
holders from the United Kingdom are extended on an informal
and reciprocal basis.
13. In response to a request from Hong Kong in April this
year, an undertaking was given by the previous Government
that the possibility would be examined here of an approach by Her Majesty's Government asking the German authorities
to agree to reciprocal visa waiver facilities for holders
of Hong Kong passports visiting the Federal German Republic.
14. No such approach has yet been made but we would be ready to make one if the Hong Kong authorities still so desired in the light of the outcome of their own approach
to the German Consul-General,
15. In connection with a similar request from Gibraltar, our Embassy in Bonn were asked to inquire from the German authorities whether a "certificate of returnability" issued by the Gibraltar Government, in addition to a guarantee falready given to the Germans) to refund any costs of
/repatriation......
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CONFIDENTIAL