TNAG-1407-FCO40-1882-Future-of-Hong-Kong-passports-and-visas-1985 — Page 187

CONFIDENTIAL

WHO IS SYMPATHETIC AND A LAWYEP, WE HELD NOT RAISE THE ISSUE IN

SUCH A WAY AS TO SUGGEST THAT WE ARE SEEKING AN IMMEDAITE SOLUTION.

THEY MAY WELL WANT FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE PASSPORTS BEFORE

COMING TO CONCLUSIONS. BUT WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW IT TO APPEAR TO

THE PUBLIC THAT HMG HAD NOT APPRECIATED THE DIFFICULTY. AN ABILITY

TO SAY THAT WE ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH THE CANADIANS WILL BE A

GOOD ANSWER.

4. A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN AGREED WITH THE

CANADIANS IN RESPECT OF BOCS (YOUR TELNO 1186 OF 14 NOVEMBER 1983

NOT REPATED TO OTTAWA) AS RECORDED IN THE ORAL REPLY TO LORD

GEDDES ON 16 NOVEMBER 1933. BREIFLY IT IS THAT THE CANADIANS WILL ACCEPT BOCS AS VISITORS WHERE THE WISA OFFICER IS SATISFIED THAT

THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS LEGITIMATE AND THE VISITOR WILL BE READMITTED TO HIS OWN COUNTRY OF USUAL RESIDENCE. THIS SOLUTION MIGHT PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR AN ANSWER TO THE PROBLEMS FOR BHO'S WITHOUT THE NEED FOR AMENDMENT TO CANADIAN LEGISLATION.

YOUDE

HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

RESEARCH D (FE)

D/HD PUSD

MR WILSON

COPIES TO:

MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS