TNAG-2950-FCO40-4227-Hong-Kong-visa-free-travel-for-British-Nationals-(Overseas)--1993 — Page 62

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Did we this?

NBT

14.

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Mr Woodrow, HKD

Alas, yes

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Miz Barnes Jone

Reference

and toe

The situation still appears pretty confusing. There av too many disagreements!

EC, VISAS AND HONG KONG

1.

Schemes

20

many

&

Wooden

24/3

At our recent meeting with Deborah Barnes-Jones you asked for a simple briefing paper on the EC and visas. attached.

A copy is

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2. The inwardness of this for Hong Kong is that we believe that most of our partners simply do not understand, or at the moment choose to ignore, that BDTCs do not have returnability to the UK. Hence, DTs are not currently on any common visa list. However, if in the lead-up to 1997 there occurs a noticeable movement of BDTCs (or by then BN (0)s) with returnability only to Hong Kong we believe that this could trigger partners into putting them on the common list. cannot stop them going on the Schengen list and once Maastricht is ratified the EC common list goes into Community competence. From that date until 1.1.96 we will be able to block DT's (and Hong Kong's) inclusion as changes will only be possible by unanimous voting. However, from that date 1.1.96 Qualified Majority Voting will apply and we will no longer have any control over the common list. If therefore, because of political instability or lack of confidence there is a move to leave Hong Kong by any sizeable part of the BN (0) or BDTC population we would expect this to trigger our partners into action. It would of course not only be unfortunate for political reasons but also because it would occur during the year in which we are to take over visa operations from HKID and set up shop in the new Consulate-General. Entry clearance staffing levels are therefore something of a wild card although I copied to HKD my minute of 12 March to Mr Bennett in MRS giving the current basis for our staffing level calculation.

CODE 18-771

H Parkinson

Migration and Visa Department

CL 408 270 4019

23 March 1993

HID 348)

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05 AM. 1990