Governor of Hong Kong would be unacceptable to the Chinese when the territory reverts to them in 1997.
The
4. As you note, there are good grounds for not rocking the boat. Until Hong Kong ceases to be a dependent territory the arrangements for the issue of passports in Hong Kong should therefore remain as close as possible to the existing arrangements and to those followed in other dependent territories. Governor would continue to issue the passports, though as agent of the Secretary of State. The Government of Hong Kong can therefore reasonably argue that financial arrangements should continue essentially the same as well.
5. I should mention two other related points. First, from 1 July 1997 we shall have a UK consular post in Hong Kong which will issue passports to all categories of British nationals; HMG will be fully responsible for the staffing and financing of that Post. Passport and other Consular fees will be dealt with in exactly the same manner as at all our other overseas posts. Secondly as regards other consular services which Hong Kong carry out for us, I accept that the Hong Kong Government now collect and retain entry certificate fees, but this is a comparatively recent development. In the past there has been a substantial imbalance in our favour between the gratis services they performed on our behalf and those which we performed for them.
6.
I hope that in the consideration, be able
light of the above you will, on further to agree to our request.
Чем иттему
пилля
R E Escritt
Finance Department
cc Mr Marcelin (NTD)
Mr Hill (HKD)
Miss Kaye (Consular Dept) Mr McDougall (MVD)
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.