TNAG-0280-FCO40-316-Visit-of-Parliamentary-under-Secretary-of-Foreign-and-Common-1970 — Page 73

CONFIDENTIAL

obtaining reciprocal facilities for Hong Kong passport

holders: they are, we know, willing that the Germans

should be given an undertaking that any repatriation

costs of Hong Kong belongers would be met by the Hong

Kong Government; but it appears unlikely, having regard

to the policy of the Federal German authorities as dexcribed

above, that this approach will meet with any greater

success than previous similar approaches.

12. There is no formal agreement for the mutual abolition

of visas between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic

of Germany and the visa concessions for British passport

holders from the United Kingdom are extended on an informal

and reciprocal basis.

13. In response to a request from Hong Kong in April this

year, an undertaking was given by the previous Government

that the possibility would be examined here of an approach by Her Majesty's Government asking the German authorities

to agree to reciprocal visa waiver facilities for holders

of Hong Kong passports visiting the Federal German Republic.

14. No such approach has yet been made but we would be ready to make one if the Hong Kong authorities still so desired in the light of the outcome of their own approach

to the German Consul-General,

15. In connection with a similar request from Gibraltar, our Embassy in Bonn were asked to inquire from the German authorities whether a "certificate of returnability" issued by the Gibraltar Government, in addition to a guarantee falready given to the Germans) to refund any costs of

/repatriation......

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CONFIDENTIAL