§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what decision has been reached by Her Majesty's Government with respect to whether Hong Kong citizens holding a Hong Kong special administrative region passport after 1997 will need a visa to visit the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [21146]
§ Mr. GoodladWe have not yet taken any decision on visa requirements for Hong Kong special administrative region passport holders wishing to visit the United Kingdom after 1 July 1997. In taking such a decision, we will consider a number of factors, including eligibility for the passport and arrangements for its issue and security. We continue through the Joint Liaison Group to press the Chinese for early progress on these questions, but until details have been finalised and we have evidence that satisfactory procedures are in place we shall not be able to take a decision on visa requirements for HKSAR passport holders.