7
O
AJ Carter Esq
Peputy Director of Immigration Immigration Department
141 Des Voeux Road Central Hong Kong
ان
349/01/11
LCEIVED WIRETTA 7 10. 25
2 AUG 1979
DESK 1 INDEX
PA
Taken
GVM 349/393/1
31 July 1979
!
der your reference I/CR/2/1341 Rod Bridges copied to Archie Shepherd unsuccessful kcorrespondence about a waiver by the Germans of the present visa requirement on ilong Kong passport holders.
In his letter of 15 larch Ron asked if our Bonn Embassy could give an assessment of their chance of making successful informal repre- sentation if we agreed that they should so act. I can do no better than quote the following extract from their reply:
"Without testing the water here we find it hard to give you m authoritative answer, either as rogerls German motives or on their likely reaction to an informal approach here. On the face of it the arguments contained in ridge's letter to the Federal German Consul-General in Hong Kong of 2 January should be persu- asive in pointing out that Hong Kong would guarantee to re-adait British passport holders from there curl in emphasising that neighbouring countries of the European Co muity alred1y valved visa requirements for visitors holding Hong Kong British reso- ports.
We remain of the view that these two points, together with the argiment besedoon reciprocity, should form the cruz of o'r case to the Germans.''
In Archie Shepherd's cbsence ou leave, Jack Hallett and I discussed this matter with Ron Bridges vhen he called in last wool and for our port ve indicated that we were prepered to ask Bonn to raise this matter. Rou was plersed to hear this ou asked that vo proceed, but later, on reflection, asked that I report in these terms to you! and seek your concurrence. We shall therefore hold back mutil you give us the green light.
Incidentally, by way of background I should mention that ever since 1968 the German authorities have required all British-passport holders to obtain a visa prior to entry into Germony there their passports did not iudicate that they had restricted right of entry into the United Kingdom. We end the llome Office welcome this measure of control (particularly after the Immigration et 1971) over UKPH subject to control and are pleased that the German authori- ties check on the returnability of UKTI whence they cane.
This may
/account
RESTRICTED