TNAG-2358-FCO40-3429-Official-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 81

The Rt Hon Malcolm Rifkind QC MP

House of Commons

LONDON

SW1 OAA

Thank you for your letter of 15 March enclosing one from your constituent, Mr Jimmy Boyle of 33 Gillespie Road, Edinburgh, about the problems he encountered on his arrival at Hong Kong in February. I am sorry for the delay in replying.

First I should point out that Hong Kong's immigration policy, including control of entry, is the responsibility

of the Hong Kong Government. It is they who decide on admission or refusal of entry. However I have sought an account from the Hong Kong Immigration Department of the incident concerning Mr Boyle, and my reply is based on

the report I have received from them.

Under Hong Kong's Immigration rules, British citizens may

be refused entry as visitors if the immigration officer is not satisfied that the passenger is (a) a genuine visitor or (b) of good character. In Mr Boyle's case the initial refusal was taken under (b), as was explained to him at the time, because of his criminal record. This

MANAHY