TNAG-1564-FCO40-2129-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 56

APR.22 '86 16:41 GMT HO 2 LUNAR HOUSE

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citizens do not have to obtain a visa in advance to visit the

United Kingdom. This is the position under the current

immigration rules and this Government has no intention of introducing

any visa requirement for such visitors. This is understandably

a matter of great importance to people in Hong Kong. In response

to their wishes, therefore, the Government have agreed that an

endorsement reflecting this position should be placed in the new

British National (Overseas) Passports. The endorsement will read:

"In accordance with the United Kingdom Immigration Rules,

the holder of this passport does not require an entry certificate

or visa to visit the United Kingdom."

A leaflet will be issued with each passport explaining the endorsement

and the position under the immigration rules.

The Council's second request was that former servicemen in

Hong Kong who served in the defence of Hong Kong in the

Second World War should be granted British citizenship. The number

involved is about 270. In view of their particular service the

Government will meet the spirit of this request. It is not possible

under the British Nationality Act 1981 to confer British citizenship

on them all regardless of the nature of their service or their

present citizenship. But I will consider sympathetically applications

for registration as British citizens under section 4(5) of the

British Nationality Act 1981 from any who are eligible under this

provision because they are British Dependent Territories citizens

or other British nationals and because they served under the

/Government