617
Written Answers
28 JUNE 1978
Written Answers
618
Hare Kong
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement of the cir cumstances · under which HK$320,000 was returned to the Golden Jubiles Secondary School in Hong Kong by the Precious Blood administration.
Mr. Luard: The former principal of the Golden Jubilee School diverted HK$305,200 from school funds to those of the Precious Blood Order. This sum, together with accrued interest, was repaid to the school by the order in March 1978, when the facts about what hap pened had been established.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that sufficient control by audit is exercised in Hor Government subsidised schools light of the Golden Jubilee Sondary School case.
Kong in the
Mr. Luard: The case has show that present audit arrangements are no satis- factory. Certain steps have alread been taken to tighten control and the Hong Kong Director of Education, together with the Director of Audit an the Independent Commission Against Cor- ruption, is considering what urther measures are necessary.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs If the terms of reference of the committee of inquiry into the affairs of the Golden Jubilee Seconda School in Hong Kong allow a full investigation into the alleged financial irregul.rities there.
Mr. Luard: The terms of reference of the committee of inquiry ar sufficiently broad to enable any releva.... matter to be investigated. The commitice's chair- man has announced publicly that there will be a thorough examination of past events relating to the school.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many teachers employed at the Golden Jubilee Secondary School in Horg Kong have been dismissed; and if these teachers have any right of appeal.
Mr. Luard: No teachers have been dismissed. Sixteen have, been informed by the school's management committed that no new contracts will be issued to them when their present ones expire on 31st August. Non-renewal of contract does not carry any right of appeal..
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Cominonwealth Affairs if consultations are still taking place with the Professional Teachers Union con- cerning staff formerly employed at the Golden Jubilee Secondary School in Hong Kong.
Mr. Luard: The Professional Teachers Union and representatives of the teachers involved have had separate meetings with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong, who is responsible for i ominating the school management comm (tee which employs the teachers.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who gave the authority for the closure of the Golden Jubilee Secondary School in Hong Kong; what consultation took place; and if he will make a statement on the students sit-in.
Mr. Luard; The closure was authorised by the acting director of education after consultation with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong. Some 400 students took part in sit-ins and other denionstrations during normal school hours in the week preceding the closure.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Golden Jubilee Secondary School will re-open; and under what name it will be known.
Mr. Luard: A preliminary announce- ment has been made that the school will reopen on 1st September 1978. The pro- posed new name is St. Theresa's Secondary School.
Mr Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many policeman were on duty to control the 10,000 people at the mass citizens' assembly on the Golden Jubilee Secondary School issue on 28th May.
Mr. Luard: Nineteen police officers were on duty. Further officers were on standby in nearby police stations.