TNAG-2358-FCO40-3429-Official-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 82

decision was upheld by a chief immigration officer at the

airport, but whilst arrangments were being made for Mr

Boyle to leave Hong Kong, he asked and was allowed to

make a number of long distance telephone calls.

Eventually he spoke to an official at Consular Department

here at the FCO, and as Mr Boyle acknowledges, he was able to help. The Director of the Hong Kong Immigration Department then exercised his discretion personally and allowed Mr Boyle a visit of up to one month.

Mr Boyle in his letter makes a number of complaints about his treatment by Immigration Officials at Hong Kong airport. According to the report I have received, Hong

Kong Immigration Department are satisfied that Immigration Officers behaved correctly throughout.

The officer who advised Mr Boyle that his wife and children could enter Hong Kong was acting in good faith. As to Mr Boyle's request to speak to a UK representative, Hong Kong Immigration Department suggest that there was a misunderstanding. The officer who handled the case

recalled that Mr Boyle asked to speak to an officer in

the British Consulate. He was told that there was no

British Consulate in Hong Kong. This is correct; as a

British Dependent Territory there is no UK Consulate in

Hong Kong. I am assured the officer did not mean to be

unhelpful. The report also states that Mr Boyle's wife

and children were taken to the restaurant for a meal at

17.30 on that day.

As to Mr Boyle's assertion that he was permitted to use

the telephone only after a great deal of pressure, I am told a large notice is displayed in the arrival

immigration area advising passengers who have been refused entry of their right to make telephone calls. On