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Embassy in Bonn put to the Germans the suggestion that visas
should be granted on sight at the German frontier to citizens of
the United Kingdom and colonies from Gibraltar who could produce
a certificate of returnability to that territory. The Gibraltar
Government also accepted full financial liability for any
repatriation costs.
4.
Had the German authorities accepted the entry of Gibraltarians
without visas a similar approach would have been made on behalf of
Hong Kong. The Germans, however, were absolutely rigid in
refusing to default from the visa requirement and it was concluded
that no useful purpose would be served by making an approach to
the Germans on Hong Kong's behalf. The conclusion was agreed by
Mr Royle and communicated to the Governor in May 1971.
5. The matter was raised again with Mr Royle on 10 January
during a call on him by Sir Sidney Gordon and Sir Y K Kan from
Hong Kong. The visitors emphasised that the Hong Kong Government
was prepared to give an undertaking to meet the cost of
repatriation to that territory of any Hong Kong passport holder
deported or expelled from West Germany, without seeking the
reciprocal liability from the authorities of that country. It is
doubtful whether even the offer of a non-reciprocal agreement will
move the Germans from their inflexible attitude and the problems
involved are recognised to be considerable but a promise was given
that a further approach would be made to the Federal Government
with a view to securing a relaxation of their visa requirements
on visitors from Hong Kong. It was judged that the approach
should be deferred for a month or two when it could be made in the
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