CONFIDENTIAL
18. The Secretary of State will recall that when he was in
Hong Kong last February he accepted the Governor's view that the
Colony had a political need for outward and visible signs of a
special and beneficial relationship with the United Kingdom.
Carefully selected aid could supply this need. The Secretary of
State accordingly asked the Governor to submit specific proposals.
The Financial Secretary on his behalf has recently informally
suggested:
19.
(a) Nearly £1 million for building and equipping
the Polytechnic library.
(b) About £200,000 for a radar digital simulator for
training air traffic controllers.
We have told the ODA of these proposals and in particular
have asked for a substantial contribution for the Polytechnic to be
agreed in time for the Secretary of State to be able to mention the
fact during his visit. If we succeed, we shall supply an
appropriate supplement to this Brief.
Alternatively, it may be
possible for Mr Royle to make an announcement during his visit.
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR HONG KONG PASSPORT HOLDERS
Germany
20.
We are committed at Ministerial level to approaching the
Germans to request a relaxation of their visa requirements for
British subjects from Hong Kong. However, the prospects of success
are poor because of the large and increasing numbers of illegal
immigrants from Hong Kong presently entering Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands under our visa abolition agreements with those
countries, numbers of whom are filtering across to Germany.
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CONFIDENTIAL