TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 113

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

CONFIDENTIAL

British police. No formal complaint yet received. But if one is, will be investigated in accordance with standard procedures.

No formal complaint yet received by British authorities about

group of Hong Kong travellers denied entry at Dover on 29 April. Any formal complaint will be investigated in accordance with normal

procedures. However, understand that each was individually

interviewed, but failed to satisfy immigration officers that they

were genuinely seeking entry for only short visit, as claimed.

BN (0) PASSPORTS

HMG's exercise to explain BN (0) status and introduction of

passport extensive and very carefully prepared.

Result: many governments have declared publicly their

acceptance of passport; none has said will not accept.

BN (0) is ordinary British passport which people will find enables them to travel widely and freely. Many have done so

already.

If difficulties arise over entry into any particular country, HMG will take action with government concerned.

NEW "RIGHT OF ABODE" LEGISLATION

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Was necessary to introduce term into Hong Kong law, so that right of abode endorsements could be entered in BN (0) passports and Certificates of Identity from 1 July 1987 as agreed with Chinese

Government.

Introduction did not diminish in any way existing rights of any group resident in Hong Kong.

After 1997 right of abode will be accorded as set out in Joint

Declaration. Further changes to Hong Kong laws needed to bring fully into line with Joint Declaration at that stage. But no-one with right of abode before 1997 will lose it unless they have severed their links with Hong Kong and settled elsewhere. Joint

Declaration quite clear on this.

NEW ID CARDS

New style introduced from 1 July 1987 to ensure that ID cards

CONFIDENTIAL

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