TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 198

CONFIDENTIAL

BRIEF NO 14: NATIONALITY AND IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS

HONG KONG BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS: ENTRY REFUSALS (REVISION)

LINE TO TAKE

We are looking into the recent incidents (at Heathrow on

9 April and at Dover on 29 April) in which Hong Kong British

passport holders were refused entry.

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

doubt, or 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 nature of their travel documents, if there is reason to suppose purpose of entry is other than that stated.

Any complaints about conduct of immigration officers and police are vigorously pursued. But appeals against individual decisions best pursued through individual immigration appelate

authorities. Cannot comment on individual cases.

Home Office are considering whether recent cases which have been subject of complaints from Hong Kong, and issues arising oût of them, suggest that further guidance to immigration officers is required.

CONFIDENTIAL