TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 112

MTZACJ (2)

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO HONG KONG: 29-31 MAY 1988

BRIEF NO 14: NATIONALITY AND IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS

Objectives

1. To deal, if necessary, with any complaints about Hong Kong

holders of British passports recently refused entry to the UK.

2. To reassure Hong Kong opinion that the BN (0) passport is of

equal status to the BDTC passport, and that there is no

discrimination between them.

3.

To reaffirm that it any problems arise with the acceptability

of the BN (0) passport HMG will take them up with governments

concerned.

Points to make (Defensive purposes only)

[With OMELCO and others]

HONG KONG BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS: ENTRY REFUSALS

HMG are looking into two recent incidents in which Hong Kong

British passport holders were refused entry at Heathrow on 9 April and Dover on 29 April.

No question of validity of BN (0) or BDTC passports being in

doubt, nor of discrimination against holders at UK ports of entry.

Both types of passport are valid British passports. Holders

do not require visas or entry certificates to enter UK as visitors.

But they are of course subject to British immigration rules. [If pressed] Every country has right to refuse entry to persons, whatever the nature of their travel documents, if there is reason to

suppose that purpose of entry is other than that stated.

Understand that two Hong Kong British passport holders at Heathrow failed to satisfy immigration officers that only a visit

was intended. Formal appeal against entry refusal has been

received. Will be investigated in accordance with standard

procedures. Understand also that the two have alleged brutality by

CONFIDENTIAL