TNAG-1407-FCO40-1882-Future-of-Hong-Kong-passports-and-visas-1985 — Page 97

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Mr Galsworthy, HKD

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CONFIDENTIAL

271

Reference. HKK040/28

117

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BN(0) PASSPORTS AND ENTRY CERTIFICATES

1.

We now have a considered Home Office reply to your 'letter of 17 September, in which we put forward EXCO's proposals that (a) HMG should not provide entry certificates for BN(0) passport holders and (b) that the period of

the period of validity of multiple-visit entry certificates for BDTC passport holders should be extended to the life of the passport in which they are placed.

2.

The Home Office have replied predictably that both proposals are

are unacceptable, despite our advocacy of (b). The most convincing of the Home Office's arguments against (b) in my view is

is that only 14 long validity multiple-entry certificates were issued last year. Their main argument, that circumstances can change in 10 years, and that to

and that to issue certificates with as long a validity as we propose would make them worthless, is less strong.

I do not believe that the difference between the existing 4 years and our proposal of up to 10 years is all that substantial.

CODE 18-77

3.

We can now either:

(a)

go back to Hong Kong and tell them that both proposals have been rejected by the Home Office, but that we prepared to press (b) further if they wish;

(b)

go back

to

the

are

and

the Home Office advocating (b) further, only when we have a further response go back to Hong Kong.

I favour (a) because I do not see that we have any useful counter arguments to the Home Office at the moment, and because Hong Kong will suspect that we have dropped the whole issue

issue unless we inform them of progress. If you agree I will draft a telegram to Hong Kong.

6 November 1985

Jonathan Paul,

JN Powell

Hong Kong Department

K 221

233 3918

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