TNAG-0988-FCO40-1207-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 80

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HKK 345/1

по

K Sullivan Esq PEKING

827.2

де

My Williamson (13)

of

GVV 341/393/1 and GVV 348/301/1

22 February 1980

22/2

12

TRANSIT VISAS FOR HONG KONG

Sex (12) 14

1. Thank you for including us in the distribution of your letter of 12 February to Chadderton of the Immigration Department, Hong Kong.

2. I am sorry to hear about the increasing workload, paticularly in connection with the issue of transit visas for Hong Kong. In the circumstances you outline, and given our present stringent manpower constraints, we agree that some further relaxation of the present policy is highly desirable. At this moment of time, for example, it is doubtful that we shall be able to provide all the necessary summer- reinforcement staff for posts which rely on them to contain the seasonal rush of visa applications. The creation of new full-time posts anywhere is even more difficult to achieve.

3. We hope therefore that Hong Kong will be able to look sympath- etically at the suggestions you make in (1) and (11) of para 8 of your letter.

4. FED and HK&GD will not be writing separately but asked me to add their endorsement of the above.

cc:

I C Orr Esq, APA, Hong Kong RC Fursland Esq, FED PR Williamson Esq, HK&GD

DM Harrison

Migration and Visa Department

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j