CONFIDENTIAL
Note No. 3
Visit of Parliamentary Under-Secretary Mr. Royle, to Hong Kong, October, 1970
Ombudsman for Hong Kong
Points to be made
Hong Kong cannot escape from its status as a Colony.
Surely, therefore, it is wrong not to consider most carefully
any device likely to help persuade the Americans and the
Europeans in particular that the people of Hong Kong are not
"suffering" under a new form of old fashioned imperialism,
however ill-informed that view may be.
5(b) `and
2.
· and 6.)
(Baras. 2 and
The fact that there already are other arrangements
(UMELCO, the "Ward" system of the Urban Council, the City
District Officer scheme, and petitions to the Governor, the
Secretary of State or The Queen) enabling members of the public
to make known and seek redress for their grievances is no
reason for rejecting the application of the Ombudsman concept
to Hong Kong. (perf.,.3.) 3.
3.
The appointment of an Ombudsman is likely to make much
more of an impact both in and out of the Colony than can
ever be expected from any of the existing machinery.
(paras.45(b) and 6.) -).
4. All aspects of the proposal will, of course, have to be
most carefully considered. (Paras: 5(c) and (f))).
Hong Kong Department
30 September,1970
CONFIDENTIAL