ie visa-free! See More (2).
HKK 0401428 CONFIDENTIAL
2 2 MAR 1985
GVV HK 349/1,
Mr Galsworthy
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FROM: A J CAMBRIDGE, MVD
DATE:
CC:
present
Crcumstances
20 March 1985
Mr Barrington
29
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The
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF BRITISH NATIONAL
1. Would you please refer to paragraph 4 of your minute of 14 March about Visa Abolition Agreements (VAAS). Your understanding of our policy in this respect is broadly correct.
We
21
Seef
2. Most of our VAAS were concluded before immigration controls were imposed on certain categories of British passport holders under the Commonwealth Immigrants' Acts. Since these instructions were introduced some of the States who were party to VAAs with us have indicated their concern at the prospect of allowing free entry to their country of British nationals upon whom we place restrictions. have always expressed the view that the various changes in our Citizenship laws have not affected the status of BDTCs under the VAAS. Apart from grumbles and occasional difficulties for travellers, the countries involved have generally taken no positive action. However, in July 1984 the Netherlands formally requested renegotiation of their VAA with us which had been concluded in 1960. The request has been acknowledged and the Netherlands Embassy advised that the FCO is consulting the Whitehall departments concerned with such negotiations. These negotiations will offer the opportunity to present and test their reaction to the continued inclusion of BDTCs etc and the new category BN (0).
4.
It seems certain that we shall have the greatest difficulty in persuading the Benelux countries, or any other States, to continue to give free entry to British nationals not automatically acceptable into the UK. Many industrialised States (especially our European partners) have serious social and political problems arising from the presence of large numbers of Third World immigrants, both legal and illegal. A number of governments are currently endeavouring to rid themselves of foreign labour made surplus by the recession, and are therefore most unlikely to accede to any request from us which they would feel might put them at the risk of accepting more immigrants. Their fears, especially in regard to Hong Kong, may be exaggerated, but are none-the-less real.
CONFIDENTIAL
/5.