TNAG-0374-FCO40-420-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 87

It was agreed orally between the Governor and the Consul-

General that this would entail an increase from 200 multiple

visas a year to "about 500." The Consul-General insisted that

any increase above this number would give rise to considerable

difficulties, and he suggested an annual review. These

arrangements were due to be brought into effect on 1 February

1973. We have had no news of any recent developments and assume

that they are proceeding smoothly.

German Visa Requirements for Hong Kong Passport Holders

6.

We are committed at Ministerial level to approaching the

Germans to request a relaxation of their visa requirements for

British subjects from Hong Kong. The prospects of obtaining any

relaxation are increasingly bleak because of the large numbers

of illegal immigrants from Hong Kong who enter the Benelux

countries under our Visa Abolition Agreements with those countries,

many of whom filter across into Germany.

7. Numbers of illegal immigrants have been deported from the

Netherlands to the UK and thence at HMG's expense to Hong Kong.

The Belgians have deported numbers to Hong Kong direct. We await

a substantive reply from the Governor on our proposals, that in

making a Ministerial approach to the Germans, the Home Office would

undertake that no Hong Kong UK passport holders deported from

Germany via the UK would be returned to Germany and that the Hong

Kong Government would undertake to refund direct to the Germans

the full deportation expenses incurred by them.

8. It is not likely that a Ministerial approach to the Germans

will meet with any success. The recent problems of UK passport

holders of Asian origin from East Africa attempting to enter the

UK via Europe has caused most European countries, including

/Germany

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