CONFIDENTIAL
5.
Hong Kong fears that the change in citizenship title
may be used as excuse by other countries to tighten up their
immigration rules for BDTCS. Germany and Austria have for
some time required visiting Hong Kong passport holders to
obtain visas. Spain have more recently introduced this
requirement and the French may be about to do so.. We have
made representations (in Germany's case at Ministerial level)
for them to remove the visa requirement but so far with
little success.
6.
Hong Kong Government, at instigation of UMELCO, have
been urging consideration of possibility of adding a title
including the word 'National! (such as 'British National')
to the passports of BDTCs. Question being discussed between
Whitehall Departments. [NOT FOR USE] It is agreed that
there is no legal objection to this, but Mr Whitelaw's view
is that there could be other problems, and possible legal
complications. [Further briefing to be supplied in the
light of any developments before the Prime Minister's arrival
in Hong Kong.]
Multiple Visit Entry Certificates
7.
Commonwealth citizens wishing to visit UK may obtain
an entry certificate prior to their departure. This is not
a requirement, and does not guarantee admittance, but makes
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/refusal