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4.
This was one of three matters mentioned by the Secretary
In that
letter the Secretary of State expressed the view that despite the doubts of the Governor's unofficial advisers on the subject, the Ombudsman concept was particularly suitable for the circumstances of Hong Kong. He told the Governor that we were consulting our Parliamentary Commissioner here about the best way to go about establishing such a post in Hong Kong
and that we would let the Governor have our considered views
as soon as possible. He went on to ask the Governor to consider the best way of reviving the issue with his unofficial advisers and expressed the hope that by the time of Mr. Royle's
visit to Hong Kong it would have been possible to announce
a decision.
of State in his letter to the Governor of 3 August.
However, despite a telegraphic reminder to the Governor on 4 September, no reply has yet been received to the
Secretary of State's letter
5.
In the absence of such reply we have not yet conveyed
to the Governor uur views. However, for the purpose of any
discussions which he may have on the matter with the Governor
and his advisers the Parliamentary Under-Secretary will wish
to be aware of the following considerations and views which
have emerged in the course of our examination of the proposal
in consultation with the Parliamentary Commissioner here:
(a) The draft Hong Kong Bill follows the New
Zealand model in certain important respects
notably in that it does not link the Commissioner
with members of the legislature in the way that is
done in this country. Conditions in Hong Kong are
not, of course, the same as they are here; a
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/requirement.....