TNAG-0332-FCO40-368-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 3

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Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

LONDON SW1

7 July 1972

7.loyd Usa Go

ellag Deputy Colonial Secretary

IN HONG

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CIPRSTANDING ISSUES

1. Thank you for your letter of 20 June. I am sorry that our 0:1360 progress report was delayed. However, I hope that the

lowing peragraphs (which follow the order of Clinton's original points in his letter of 6 Karch) will be of help when you report

prek to UMELCO.

(a) VISAS

Afar as Germany is concerned, we have agreed at Ministerial lov 1 to approach the Germans about a relaxation of their visa requirements for British subjects from Hong Kong. e await a' substantive reply to our telegram No 355 of 3 May (your telegram ..o 488 refers).

The prospects of cbtaining any relaxation are, I am afraid, Locating bleaker because of the large and increasing numbers of 11legal immigrants from Hong Kong presently in Benelus, numbers of whom are filtering across to Germany. Migration and Visa Department wrote in detail about this on 3 and 4 July to Chris Howells.

As regards Japan, because of the cancellation of the Secretary of State's visit he was unable to raise the question cf visas for UK citizens of Hong Kong. You are no doubt aware of the latest exchange of telegrams on this subject resting with Tokyo telegram to you No 513 of 4 July. This indicates that the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, though sympathetic, have as yet been unable to sway the other Departments concerned.

(b) CIVIL AVIATION

(1) Air Traffic Rights in liong Kong for SAS

The Secretary of State has written to Mr John Davies at the ITI, auring that rights should be granted. We avait a reply.

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