IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 380838Z
RESTRICTED
REGSTRINETS 1
-1 DEC 1971
HKX 8/3
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 896 OF 32 NOVEMBER.
YOUR TELEGRAM 898.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION BY JAMES JOHNSON.
I SUGGEST A REPLY ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:
TOP COPY
LAST
REF.
69
NEXT
REF.
71
QUOTE WHERE CHINESE IS THE LANGUAGE OF A LITIGANT OR A WITNESS HE MAY USE IT IN ANY COURT PROCEEDINGS, AND THE PROCEEDINGS ARE INTERPRETED FOR SUCH A LITIGANT. THE COURT RECORDS ARE KEPT IN ENGLISH AND LEGAL ARGUMENT IS CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH. THE LEGISLATION
GOVERNING THE TENANCY TRIBUNAL PROVIDES THAT TENANTS OF LOW RENTAL LETTINGS CAN AND DO USE CHINESE IN DOUCMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE TRIBUNAL: AND IN PRACTICE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE OFTEN CONDUCTED
WHOLLY IN CHINESE. CORRESPONDENCE WITH REGISTRARS OF COURTS MAY
BE IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE AT THE OPTION OF A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC
UNQUOTE.
FCO PASS COPY TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
MACLEHOSE
FILES:
HKD
FED
COPIES TO:
H.K.GOVT. OFFICE
SIR L MONSON
MR WILFORD
LEGAL ADVISERS
RESTRICTED