TNAG-0374-FCO40-420-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 85

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VISAS FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN AND GERMANY

Entry Certificates for Hong Kong UK Passport Holders

1.

Unofficial Members of Executive and Legislative Councils

have for some time been pressing for the issue of entry

certificates for the United Kingdom with a long-term validity,

preferably for up to 4 years. They claim that it is un-

reasonable that they should have to take out entry certificates

every time they travel to the United Kingdom and that, as UK

citizens, they should not be treated less favourably by the UK

Government than they are treated by the United States Government,

which commonly authorises the grant of 4 year visas to residents

of Hong Kong.

2. Visitors from Hong Kong are not bound to take out entry

certificates to the UK, but it is very much in their interest to

do so in order to secure trouble-free passage through immigration

controls on arrival. Entry certificates are normally valid only

for 6 months although there is provision for the issue of 12 month

entry certificates to important businessmen who have to travel

frequently.

3. We have taken this matter up with the Home Office through

correspondence between Mr Royle and Mr David Lane. The Home Office,

however, have refused to consider extending the validity of entry

certificates beyond 12 months. They are afraid that a concession

to Hong Kong would serve as a precedent for other parts of the

Commonwealth. With the present state of public concern about

immigration it will be difficult to shift the Home Office from this

/position.