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citizens do not have to obtain a visa in advance to visit the
United Kingdom. This is the position under the current
immigration rules and this Government has no intention of introducing
any visa requirement for such visitors. This is understandably
a matter of great importance to people in Hong Kong. In response
to their wishes, therefore, the Government have agreed that an
endorsement reflecting this position should be placed in the new
British National (Overseas) Passports. The endorsement will read:
"In accordance with the United Kingdom Immigration Rules,
the holder of this passport does not require an entry certificate
or visa to visit the United Kingdom."
A leaflet will be issued with each passport explaining the endorsement
and the position under the immigration rules.
The Council's second request was that former servicemen in
Hong Kong who served in the defence of Hong Kong in the
Second World War should be granted British citizenship. The number
involved is about 270. In view of their particular service the
Government will meet the spirit of this request. It is not possible
under the British Nationality Act 1981 to confer British citizenship
on them all regardless of the nature of their service or their
present citizenship. But I will consider sympathetically applications
for registration as British citizens under section 4(5) of the
British Nationality Act 1981 from any who are eligible under this
provision because they are British Dependent Territories citizens
or other British nationals and because they served under the
/Government