TNAG-0988-FCO40-1207-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 74

Mr Chift HK&GD K246

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Reference....

HKK 345

*

RECLIVED PASAKYMY NO. 51 14 MAR 1980

DESK OFFCER

INDEX

PA

VISAS FOR HONG KONG FOR CHINESE PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS

1.

177

Please refer to Mr Harrison's minute of 10 March. In the present climate it is impossible for PPD to agree to an increase in complement in a Visa Section either in Peking or elsewhere. I appreciate that the pressures may grow on our Visa Section in Peking and indeed elsewhere in the Far East, but given the present resource constraints, and those that we expect to be added to them in the next financial year, we shall be cutting back rather than expanding. Any expansion in any section in any Embassy anywhere in the world can only be authorised if we can claw back at least twice that number of people elsewhere. I apologise for this negative and uncompromising message but it is one that has to be taken into account both with this particular problem and generally at the present time.

CODE 18-77

12 March 1980

D C Walker PPD 233 3233

cc;

Mr Williamson HK&GD K242 Mr Harrison M&VD CL408

Mr. Witham 14.3

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