TNAG-1109-FCO40-1360-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 11

CONFIDENTIAL

5.

Hong Kong fears that the change in citizenship title

may be used as excuse by other countries to tighten up their

immigration rules for BDTCS. Germany and Austria have for

some time required visiting Hong Kong passport holders to

obtain visas. Spain have more recently introduced this

requirement and the French may be about to do so.. We have

made representations (in Germany's case at Ministerial level)

for them to remove the visa requirement but so far with

little success.

6.

Hong Kong Government, at instigation of UMELCO, have

been urging consideration of possibility of adding a title

including the word 'National! (such as 'British National')

to the passports of BDTCs. Question being discussed between

Whitehall Departments. [NOT FOR USE] It is agreed that

there is no legal objection to this, but Mr Whitelaw's view

is that there could be other problems, and possible legal

complications. [Further briefing to be supplied in the

light of any developments before the Prime Minister's arrival

in Hong Kong.]

Multiple Visit Entry Certificates

7.

Commonwealth citizens wishing to visit UK may obtain

an entry certificate prior to their departure. This is not

a requirement, and does not guarantee admittance, but makes

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CONFIDENTIAL

/refusal