wem- on
to any that he
He/felt that the Chinese District Officer
arrangement might well meet some of the
needs and that we ought to wait and see
how this scheme developed before giving
any further thought to the Ombudsman
proposal.
Vi... i
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Page
Page
HWB.
when he
ales relayed
C
Bernaschin
1/16
Mr. Carter
age 9
Reference......
15
I am sorry to have held up these papers which came to me while I was in Nigeria with the Minister of State.
2. I doubt whether, in normal circumstances, we would have agreed to arrange a special meeting between Mr. Bernacchi and Lord Shepherd. We were, however, expecting him to call together with Mr. de Basto. In the event he did not do
so.
Therefore, when he asked to pay a courtesy call on Lord Shepherd and perhaps raise one or two problems connected with Hong Kong I con- sulted Mr. Gaminara who agreed that such a call would probably do no harm. Alas, Mr. Bernacch's vanity has given rise to some unfortunate headlines in the Hong Kong Press.
3.
The interview lasted only -hour. No record was kept for the simple reason that I was the only other person present and present only for a short time as I was called away to discuss an urgent Nigerian problem with Mr. Tebbit.
4.
I have discussed with Lord Shepherd. His, clear recollection is that what he said to Mr. Bernacchi was that he once held a strong view that an Ombudsman would have an important role to play in Hong Kong; but although he could still see the need for an Ombudsman, he saw difficulties about such an appointment at this stage. His view is that the Chinese District Officer scheme might go some way- towards meeting the need for an Ombudsman and his advice is that we ought to wait and see how this scheme developed before taking the Ombudsman proposal any further.
(C. H. Godden)
21 October, 1968.
Aix wert plan pari draft
for sien. Com 22/10
age 9