Our reference
Your reference
L78/5228/DAW/DAP
BY HAND
Sir Ian Sinclair, K.C.M.G.
Legal Adviser,
HKK 380/2
DESA
DEX
Th
2 5 AUG 1978
Telegrams Proctorex London SW1
CLE
Aostagg
-do we have
(67
01-233 3000 SWITCHBOARD
Telephones 01-233208 DIRECT LINE
Telex 917564
Matthew Parker Street
London SW1H 9NN
18th August 1978
Mr Rushf
Foreign and Commonwealth office, details of the backyard?
Downing Street,
LONDON
172378 1th Quantrill.
KAKUSHFORD
For entry
a actoù on x
A.R.R.
Dear Sir Ian,
21.8.
FENG-MING TUNG (THOMAS) -v- LORD GORONWY ROBERTS
AND DR. DAVID OWEN
On 14th August 1978 Mr. Feng-Ming Tung (Thomas) of 7, Lisle Street, London W.C.2. called here and left copies of a Writ which he had issued that day against Lord Goronwy Roberts and Dr. David Owen claiming damages for libel in respect of a letter which they are alleged to have written to Mr. Christopher Price, M.P. on the 19th January 1978. I enclose a copy of the Writ for your information.
We explained that as Mr. Feng-Ming Tung had chosen to issue his Writ against named persons instead of proceeding under the Crown Proceedings Act, 1947, we were not in a position to accept service of the proceedings but we agreed to ask for instructions and promised to write to him in due course. In fact, according to Mr. Feng-Ming Tung
he was leaving this country on 15th August for the U.S.A. where he hoped to spend the rest of his days.
Although on the face of it it looks as though the claim will turn out to be hopelessly misconceived and one where once the Statement of Claim is served we will apply to strike/out under R.S.C. Order 18 Rule 19, I shall be glad to know whether in fact Lord Goronwy Roberts
and Dr. David Owen would like us to act for them and if so perhaps you
could arrange for someone in your Department to collate the necessary papers and let us have instructions in the matter which I understand is in some way connected with the Plaintiff's conviction of a criminal
offence in Hong Kong some 17 years ago.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Duncan Waken
D. A. WATSON Under Secretary/Legal
t
Page 60Page 61
Grainary Writ (Unliquidated Demand), (0.6, r. 1)