TNAG-0988-FCO40-1207-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 115

EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE United KinGDOM AND The GovernmENT OF ITALY FOR THE MUTUAL AbolitioON OF VISAS

London, 6th December, 1947

7

No. 1

Mr. Ernest Bevin to Duke Tommaso Gallarati Scotti

Your Excellency,

Foreign Office,

6th December, 1947.

I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that, as a first step towards the eventual restoration of freedom of travel to Italy and to British territories, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are prepared to conclude with the Government of Italy an agreement in the following terms:-

(1) Italian citizens shall be free to travel from any place whatever to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland without the necessity of obtaining a visa in advance provided that they are furnished with valid Italian passports.

(2) Holders of valid passports bearing, on the cover, the inscription "British Passport" and, inside, the description of the holder's national status as "British subject" shall be free to travel from any place whatever to Italy without the necessity of obtaining a visa in advance.

(3) It is understood that the waiver of the visa requirement does not exempt Italian citizens and British subjects coming respectively to the United Kingdom and to Italy from the necessity of complying with the British and the Italian laws and regulations concerning the entry, residence (temporary or permanent) and employment or occupation of foreigners, and that travellers who are unable to satisfy the immigration authorities that they comply with these laws and regulations are liable to be refused leave to enter or land.

(4) As regards travel to British colonies and overseas territories, protec- torates or territories under mandate or trusteeship, it is understood that visas will continue to be required.

2. If the Italian Government are prepared to accept the foregoing provisions, I have the honour to suggest that the present note and your Excellency's reply in similar terms should be regarded as placing on record the agreement between the two Governments, which shall take effect on the 1st January, 1948.

I have, &c. (Signed)

ERNEST BEVIN.