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entry clearance in the United Kingdom. It is of course a
fact that no visas are required for holders of BDTC
passports to visit the United Kingdom. But entry clearance
is a facility available to those coming to this country
who wish to assure their entry before they set off and it would
be wrong to discourage the use of this facility. There is
another important point to be made. It is a fundamental part of our system of "on entry" control that people arriving
here have to satisfy the Immigration Officer that they qualify
for admission under the Immigration Rules: and obviously
we must beware against putting any endorsement in
the passport which might mislead and give the impression
that in some way examination by an Immigration Officer
and compliance with the ordinary Immigration Rules is not
required. Bona fide visitors from Hong Kong are
always welcome here and always will be: but there are
difficulties about an endorsement in the passport and we
would have to ensure that people were not misled by it.
I am however considering with sympathy how to meet the
concern which Members of the Legislative Council have.
reflected.
CONCLUSION
We believe that the draft Order provides for nationality arrangement which are fair and consistent as between all BDTCs in Hong Kong and are on the right lines. But we shall listen with interest
to what the House says and consider whether any amendments
/are