XCC(86)10
(d) it would be useful towards
Page
2
removing
the
misconceptions of some third countries that Hong Kong BDTCs are required to have visas in order to enter the UK.
HMG's reaction
4
The Home Office have argued that such an endorsement would be misleading in the following ways:
(a) it might give the impression that to obtain an entry certificate was an obligation from which the holder of the particular passport with the endorsement on it was exempted; and
(b) it could lead individuals
individuals to believe that there could be no question of their being turned back at a UK port of entry. In fact anyone (other than a British citizen with right of abode in the UK) can be turned back if he does not satisfy the immigration rules.
The consequence of both misunderstandings would be confusion.
Counter Arguments
5
The way round these arguments would be for the Immigration Department here to continue to advise that entry certificates were not obligatory for entry to the UK as a visitor; but that they were a facility designed to help those who might have difficulty satisfying Immigration officers in the UK that they were genuine travellers. Any confusion that might arise as a result of the endorsement might well be out-weighed by the advantages of having the fact that visas or certificates of entry were not a requirement for BN (0) s visiting the UK clearly marked in the passports.
Advice sought
6
Members will be asked to advise whether
ΟΙ not the
Hong Kong Government should continue to press for an endorsement that "the holder of this passport does not require an entry certificate or a visa to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor" to be included in BN (0) passports.
(The Secretary for Security, Mr. D.G. JEAFFRESON, and the Director of Immigration, Mr. A.J. CARTER, will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item.)
3 January 1986
(SCR 4/2091/84 Pt. 12)
COUNCIL CHAMBER
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