Reference
(66)
"
3
Mr Laird
The four reports of the Chinese Language Committee were tabled in the Legislative Council on 10 March, 28 April, 7 July and 18 August. The First Report was the subject of an Executive Council Memorandum and the recommendations of the Report were accepted in principle on 11 May. (see (34)) None of the other reports has been the subject of an Exco Memorandum, nor, so far as we know, has any of them except the First been discussed in either Council. The only communication we have from the Hong Kong Government about the Reports is contained in Hong Kong telegram no 233 of 6 April (at (9)).
There have been advertisements in the Hong Kong press for "simultaneous translators" and I have seen suggestions, also in the press, that it is the intention to introduce bilingualism with simultaneous translation into Urban Council and Legislative Council meetings in 1972. The Urban Council Crdinance and the Standing Orders Of Legco, stipulate that the proceedings of the councils shall be in the English language. We have no drafts of amendments to enable Chinese to be used. (for betms.)
The Second Report is critical of Government for non- implementation of its own previously announced policy for the increased use of Chinese, and this may be difficult for the Government to swallow. Since this may be holding up acceptance of the Second Third and Fourth Reports the criticism, which should not have been expected to serve a useful purpose, was a bad tactic on the part of the Chinese Language Committee.
ABEN
87x1
Standing Orders of Leges have now been amended
64 information Bulletin of 3 Nov. attached.
to allow use
of
Chinose
English,
fet
Daily
Möbell 8/x1
DD 896639 140609 500M 7/71 GM 3643/2