*
4. These are both subjects that are properly the concern of
the Hong Kong Government, and in which we would not normally
intervene unless there was clear evidence of maladministration.
The question of compensation for property taken over by the
Government has been raised on a number of recent occasions,
and in his speech at the opening of the Legislative Council on
10 October the Governor said: "Your Government is fully aware
of the need to offer compensation which is full and fair ...
We must continue to keep the system as a whole under review
to ensure that it remains workable as circumstances change".
5. Mr Eddis does have a point in arguing that the "parity of
subsidy" principle discriminates against non-Cantonese speakers.
On the other hand, there is an equally valid case for arguing
that one sector of the community should not receive a dis-
proportionate share of the Government's spending on education
(particularly since that sector is one that is relatively
privileged already). I am satisfied that in adopting the
"parity of subsidy" policy the Hong Kong Government are acting
in the best interests of the majority of the population.
also absolutely certain that there is no basis for the
insinuations that appear in Mr Eddis's memorandum suggesting
that the policy has been adopted to satisfy a personal grudge
of the Secretary for Social Services (a local officer) against
expatriates.
I am
6. Since Mr Eddis has not provided sufficiently detailed
information about the individual compensation case he mentions
to allow it to be followed up, and since his case on the
/education