TNAG-2923-FCO40-4198-Visits-and-proposed-visits-by-Alastair-Goodlad--Minister-of--1993 — Page 106

VISA FREE TRAVEL FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE

What action has HMG taken to lobby for a reversal of the

Spanish decision to require visas for BDTCs and BNOs visiting

Spain?

Since learning of the Spanish decision, we have made

representations on behalf of Hong Kong to the Spanish

authorities at senior level. Lobbying has been carried out in Hong Kong, London, Madrid and Brussels.

Now that the Spanish have imposed a visa regime, is it

likely that other European countries who are members of the

Schengen Convention will follow suit?

We do not anticipate such developments.

We have

established that there are no plans at present for a common approach among the Schengen Convention signatories

towards visas for Hong Kong. It is our understanding that

BDTCS and BN (0)s will continue to enjoy visa free travel to Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Italy and Greece.

What quarantee do we have that visa free travel to these and

other countries will continue?

The UK Government will continue to lobby on behalf of Hong

Kong and to explain to partners the sound case for continuing the visa free arrangements which have worked well in the

past for these Hong Kong visitors.

What are you doing to correct misapprehension that Hong Kong

is a transit point for illegal immigration to Europe from PRC?

Hong Kong's effective and efficiently implemented immigration

controls speak for themselves. In any case, this question

quite separate from that of access for British passport

holders.

brief.legco.BB

SLM