§ 18. Mr. Snowasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what are the requirements demanded of Hong Kong domiciled persons of Chinese race before British passports are issued to them; and whether such requirements are made known to the Government of India.
§ Mr. FisherEvidence of birth in Hong Kong, or naturalisation, and of intention to travel are required. These are not exceptional requirements by a passport issuing authority and no special 192 intimation to other Governments is therefore necessary.
§ Mr. SnowIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that Answer is in conflict with the information given to me by the chief immigration officer of Hong Kong, who stated that no passport would be issued to a person of Chinese race who had not been known to that officer for eight years? Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Government of India to see that the treatment meted out to British passport carrying Chinese from Hong Kong passing through India in transit is not repeated?
§ Mr. FisherI will certainly check whether the hon. Gentleman's information or mine is correct. Representations have already been made to the Indian Government which has felt unable to accede to them. I do not think that it would be profitable to pursue the matter.
§ Mr. SnowI personally saw two Hong Kong subjects carrying British passports subjected to humiliating treatment at Bombay while in transit. Surely as British subjects they are entitled to claim full protection from Her Majesty's Government. Why did they not get it?
§ Mr. FisherI know about that case, but the two Chinese concerned have not complained about their treatment.