MTZACJ (2)
CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO HONG KONG: 29-31 MAY 1988
BRIEF NO 14: NATIONALITY AND IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS
Objectives
1. To deal, if necessary, with any complaints about Hong Kong
holders of British passports recently refused entry to the UK.
2. To reassure Hong Kong opinion that the BN (0) passport is of
equal status to the BDTC passport, and that there is no
discrimination between them.
3.
To reaffirm that it any problems arise with the acceptability
of the BN (0) passport HMG will take them up with governments
concerned.
Points to make (Defensive purposes only)
[With OMELCO and others]
HONG KONG BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS: ENTRY REFUSALS
HMG are looking into two recent incidents in which Hong Kong
British passport holders were refused entry at Heathrow on 9 April and Dover on 29 April.
No question of validity of BN (0) or BDTC passports being in
doubt, nor of discrimination against holders at UK ports of entry.
Both types of passport are valid British passports. Holders
do not require visas or entry certificates to enter UK as visitors.
But they are of course subject to British immigration rules. [If pressed] Every country has right to refuse entry to persons, whatever the nature of their travel documents, if there is reason to
suppose that purpose of entry is other than that stated.
Understand that two Hong Kong British passport holders at Heathrow failed to satisfy immigration officers that only a visit
was intended. Formal appeal against entry refusal has been
received. Will be investigated in accordance with standard
procedures. Understand also that the two have alleged brutality by
CONFIDENTIAL