CONFIDENTIAL
Reference..
| HKK3413
25A
Mr Watkins
Defence Department (E320)
REVISION OF THE HONG KONG IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE
1.
Your minute of 1 August below.
ZHA
I am sorry that we failed to consult you and the Ministry of Defence over the revision of the Hong Kong Immigration Ordinance. Needless to say, this was an oversight. I have already apologised to Mr Cragg and will reply to his Letter of 30 July in due course.
2.
3.
The plan was that the Bill should pass through all its stages in the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 1 August. As this was the Last day of the Council's current session, and will not reconvene until October I see no early prospect of amending the Ordinance. However, you will have seen FCO telegram No 617 informing the Governor that RN ships will not be able to take action on the high seas under the provisions of the Bill. I read this telegram to Mr Cragg before despatch and he was wholly satisfied.
2 August 1979
COAL
18-77
+
R J T MCLaren
Hong Kong and General Department
CONFIDENTIAL.