an Foreign and Commonwealth Office ang of * London SW1A 2AHOO al das ob nov ti aud drenou od horsqouq yllarol: Haroon
Telephone 01.
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A J Carter Esq
Deputy Director of Immigration
Immigration Department
141 Des Voeux Road (Central
Hong Kong is noi Luly Ef
Your reference
Our reference GVM 349/393/1 ·
Date 31 July 1979
3445/2
pad (oem.ILDEW D G 00
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Under your reference MM/CRV21341
Bridges copied to Archie Shepherd unsuccessful correspondence about a waiver by the Germans of the present visa requirement on Hong Kong passport holders.
In his letter of 15 March Ron asked if our Bonn Embassy could give an assessment of their chance of making successful informal repre- sentation if we agreed that they should so act. I can do no better than quote the following extract from their reply:-
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"Without testing the water here we find it hard to give you an authoritative answer, either as regards German motives or on their likely reaction to an informal approach here. On the face of it the arguments contained in Bridge's letter to the Federal German Consul-General in Hong Kong of 2 January should be persu- asive in pointing out that Hong Kong would guarantee to re-admit British passport holders from there and in emphasizing that neighbouring countries of the European Community already waived visa requirements for visitors holding Hong Kong British pass- ports. We remain of the view that these two points, together with the argument based on reciprocity, should form the crux of our case to the Germans."
In Archie Shepherd's absence on leave, Jack Mallett and I discussed this matter with Ron Bridges when he called in last week and for our part we indicated that we were prepared to ask Bonn to raise this matter. Ron was pleased to hear this and asked that we proceed, but later, on reflection, asked that I report in these terms to you and seek your concurrence. We shall therefore hold back until you give us the green light.
Incidentally, by way of background I should mention that ever since 1968 the German authorities have required all British-passport holders to obtain a visa prior to entry into Germany where their passports did not indicate that they had unrestricted right of entry into the United Kingdom. We and the Home Office welcome this measure of control (particularly after the Immigration Act 1971) over UKPH subject to control and are pleased that the German authori- ties check on the returnability of UKPH whence they came.
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