ARRACC (4)
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(vii) NATIONALITY
Treatment of Hong Kong travellers at UK ports of entry
Aware of serious concern in Hong Kong about Hong Kong
travellers to UK encountering difficulties. Have taken personal
interest in the matter. This summer I visited Gatwick and Dover,
met number of Hong Kong travellers.
Reiterate my message to Lydia Dunn: all Hong Kong people
welcome as visitors to Britain. No question of discrimination.
Statistics show that over past two years number of Hong Kong
travellers refused entry has been very small (less than 0.5%).
New measures to improve procedures, eg direct telephone advisory service for Hong Kong travellers; improved communications between UK Immigration Service and Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Hope this will reassure Hong Kong people. But continuing to
monitor situation carefully.
BN(0) Passport
No particular implications for BN (0) passport.
No question about validity of BN(0) or BDTC passports: both are valid British passports, acceptable throughout the world.
Take up of new BN (0) passport has been slow. This is understandable. Expect applications to pick up as 1997 comes
nearer.
Widows of War Veterans
Aware of concern about this matter. Am in touch with Home
Office about it.
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