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OUT TELEGRAM
(CONT)
Classification
CONFIDENTIAL
Caveat
Precedence
ROUTINE
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had been a change in circumstances which might lead to refusal
of leave to enter under paragraph 13 of the Rules. Erosion of
the value of the entry certificate in this way would, they say,
defeat its very purpose. Two years is normally the maximum
The
period for which the Home Office can feel content that any
individual will continue to meet the requirements of the Rules.
The Home Office agreed to an extension of these arrangements to 4
years as a special concession following Lord Belstead's approach
in 1982.
Consider this to be longer than ideal and say that
it is not possible to go further. A BDTC who intends to visit
the United Kingdom regularly and who has complied with any
conditions attached to his stay in the past should find no
difficulty on entering the United Kingdom subsequently.
stamps in his passport will be sufficient indication that he is a
genuine visitor. Ironically, this means that those who might
claim long validity multiple-entry certificates actually have no
real need for them in practice. The Home Office have been
concerned for some time that long validity entry certificates
serve merely as status symbols and the low take up rate tends to
support this view. Last year only 14 were issued. So far this
year only 10. It is also relevant to note that last year only
about a third of BDTCs visitors to this country had entry
certificates of any sort.
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The Home Office argue that there is also the problem that
any special treatment for those from Hong Kong would inevitably
lead to pressure for the introduction of similar arrangements for
others who might be seen to be in a comparable position.
On this second proposal we are prepared, if you wish, to
return to the Home Office to press strongly for multiple visit
entry certificates of more than four years validity for Hong Kong
BN (0)s and BDTCS. We do not hold out much hope of success,
particularly in view of the low take up of 4 year certificates in
the past, but we can see that such a proposal would be
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presentationally,
XY 48A (REV)