KIMMICTED
Hong Kong Department
100 8/3
`iz Hugh Norman-Walker KCHO OBE Colonial Secretary KC G HONG
14 October 1971
60
1. Thank you for your letter of 23 August about the Chinese Inguage issuo.
I have just been shown the two further letters from the licy Yong Federation of Students of which copies are enclosed. The letter of 30 August should of course have been sent to you long ago for your views on the form of the reply and I am very my that that was not done. To save time I thought that it would be best if I were now to write to you sucut this.
5. In accordance with the normal procedure the reply to the Pelelation should of course be sent by you or in your name on vonul of Mr Royle (the terms raving been agreed here on your
dvice) I shall have to submit these two letters and the proposed reply to Mr Royle and subject to any views you
have I propose to suggest that the reply (to the President c. the Federation) be on the following lines
"(Suitable introductory paragraph,
Mr Royle understands that the Hong Kong Government is now considering the various recommendations contained in the reports of the Gainese Language Committee. He also understands that the Language Action Committee of your Federation is in direct communication with branches of the Hong Kong Government on certain aspects of this matter.
In these circunstances and pending the outcome of the Government's deliberations on the subject ir Royle does not consider that it would be appropriate for him to express any views on the matters raised in the letters under reply."
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