SOUTH CHINA
MORNING POST
APRIL 24*k' 73 24**'73
HRK 3/5W1/2
British MP arrives for study tour of Colony
The Chairman of the Anglo- Hongkong Parliamentary Group at the House of Commons, Mr John Tilney, said yesterday that he had come here "to find out as much as I can."
**
During his eight-day visit as a guest of the Governor, Mr Tilney will make an extensive
tour.
He said yesterday at Kai Tak: "I've been here a number of times, but my last visit was in 1970. Hongkong is so dynamic that one cannot allow very long to pass without coming to see the changes.
"The story of Hongkong is quite remarkable in what has been achieved, so I want to see as much as I can about what is being done."
After examining the various aspects of Hongkong's life and problems, Mr Tilney will report to his Parliamentary Group, which is composed of all-party MPx.
He said that if he saw something in particular that he thought could be helped in the
House of Commons, he would report it to the Minister of State responsible for Hongkong affairs, Mr Anthony Royle.
Questioned about housing conditions, which other MPs have criticised, Mr Tilney said: "I am going to see some of the resettlement estates, and I shall be asking to see the worst as well as the best."
Mr Tilney will have discussions with senior Government officials as well as Unofficial members of the Executive and Legislative Councils.
On the controversial issue of the Governor's decision not to commute the death sentence on a convicted murderer, Tsoi Kwok-leung, Mr Tilney said he did not want to comment.
"I don't know enough about it, although I will be asking about it," he said.
Mr Tilney was met at the airport by the Director of Protocol. Brigadier R. G. Lowthwaitë, and the Governor's aide-de-camp, Mr A. R. Ferrige.
1
#