position.
However, after receipt of Mr Lane's letter of 6 June,
Mr Royle directed that another approach should be made to the
Home Office in six months' time. While adamant on the main issue,
the Home Office have agreed that 12 month entry certificates (known
as "Visitor B" entry certificates) can be issued to members of the
Executive and Legislative Councils in Hong Kong on the authority
of the Secretary for Security even although they are not eligible
for such certificates as businessmen; that wider use could probably
be made of Visitor B entry certificates for businessmen; and in
principle to consider the possibility of extending the issue of
Visitor B entry certificates to persons other than members of the
Executive and Legislative Councils and businessmen. We await
proposals from Hong Kong on the implications of such an extension.
Japanese Visa Requirements for Hong Kong UK Passport Holders
4. The Hong Kong Government have consistently maintained pressure
to be included in the reciprocal Visa Abolition Agreement
concluded between HMG and the Japanese Government in 1962; or for
a waiver arrangement to be concluded. A series of approaches at
official level and an approach by Mr Royle have been made to the
Japanese Government without success. Subsequently, following
discussions between the Governor and the Japanese Consul-General
in Hong Kong in January 1973, an arrangement has been agreed based
on a 1957 Exchange of Notes between the Japanese and UK Governments
covering the reciprocal issue of continuous visas for Japan and the
UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Federation of Malaya.
5.
The arrangement involves a considerable increase in the issue
of continuous visas for Japan to holders of Hong Kong passports.
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