1 MK2 345/SCONFI
Ministe
RECE
CONFIDENTIAL
29 SEP 1993
WESK OFFICE INDEA
خلا
Punja
FROM: P F Ricketts
Hong Kong Department
DATE: 22 September 1993
Mr Sindon, MVD Mr Levi, ECD(I)
Cc:
PS/M Wogg
DOUGLAS HOGG
Mr Đám
Citem 2314
PS/Mr Goodlad]
Private Secretary
Mi Hogg agrees
HONG KONG: LETTER FROM ELSIE TU
м
A
B
Problem
1.
Letter from Mrs Elsie Tu, Chairman of LegCo's House
Committee, about the possible curtailment of visa-free entry for
BDTCS and BN (0) to European countries which are signatories to
the Schengen Convention.
Recommendation
2.
That, given the sensitivity of this issue on Hong Kong, the
Secretary of State should reply. I submit a draft reply which has been cleared with Hong Kong. MVD and ECD(I) agree.
Background
3.
There is concern in Hong Kong that as 1997 approaches, visa-free arrangements for Hong Kong British passport-holders
will be eroded. This has been crystallised by Spain's decision
to withdraw as from 1 October a waiver of visa requirements
which has been in force since 1988 for Hong Kong BDTCs and
BN (0)S. These visitors will then require visas. Members of
LegCo have seen this as the thin end of a Schengen wedge. of Schengen signatories, Germany, Portugal and France now require
visas and Benelux, Greece and Italy do not.
4.
When Spain told us of the new arrangements, they set them in the context of their responsibilities under Schengen. We have now established that Spain's action is not required by any
tu.NAT.JRB
CONFIDENTIAL
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