certificates for
argue that the
an advantage in
and would also
be asked not to provide for entry
visitors holding BN (0) passports. They
absence of entry certificates would be
selling BN(O) passports in Hong Kong
encourage by example other countries not to impose a visa
requirement on BN(O)s. They argue that HMG could gain
enormous credit in Hong Kong by abolishing
certificates at little cost to itself.
entry
A
3.
We are
In
our
visitors
are not very convinced by this proposal.
view the abolition of entry certificates for from Hong Kong could in fact be disadvantageous for BN (0)
passport holders. We have already explained to EXCO that
mandatory entry clearance for those coming to settle in
the United Kingdom applies from whatever country the
applicant comes, whether Hong Kong or the USA. There can be no question of abolishing it simply in respect of Hong Kong. Optional entry clearance is a facility to make it quicker and easier for the holder of an entry certificate to clear immigration control in the United Kingdom. The certficate indicates to the immigration officer that the holder has already been interviewed and reduces the need to ask the detailed questions which are more easily answered in Hong Kong at leisure, rather than spending half a day at Heathrow while the immigration officer checks up. The abolition of optional entry certificates for BN (O)s could, in our view, influence adversely the attitude of immigration officers to both Hong Kong BDTCs
and BN (O)s. We have explained
explained that abolition of entry certificates would not give BN (O) passport holders "free
and unrestricted entry to the UK".
of Only the grant
right of abode would do this and this
this is clearly out of
the question. Despite these arguments EXCO have stuck
to