CODE 18-77
SS 8/78
CONFIDENTIAL
36111
Reference
GC/104/301/1
Mr Williamson HKGD
HIK 36!! ff
17 OCT 1980
DRAFT COMPENSATION (PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA)(REGISTRATION) ORDER
1980
1
2
Re Mr Whomersley's minute of 9 October.
The following information may be useful to Hong Kong in reply to their telegram No 1125 of 5 September and as general background.
EW.P.
(i) There can be no question of registering the claims of non-UK nationals (any such claim would not be sustainable by HMG in international law);
(ii) The Hong Kong Govt will not be required to register claims. All applications will be dealt with by the Foreign Compensation Commission (FCC);
(iii) The FCC will prepare a public notice (meeting legal requirements) which will be agreed with the FCO and published in the UK press on or shortly after 5 January 1980. Copies of the Notice will be sent to all British consular/overseas offices for display;
(iv) We agree it would be advisable to insert the public notice in Hong Kong papers (including Chinese language papers) and would be grateful if the Hong Kong Govt would undertake this task. Please advise if there is likely to be any charge to HMG so that financial provision may be made;
(v) The FCC deals only with applications in English. Applicants are normally required to meet their own costs for any translations. We would nevertheless be glad to accept Hong Kong's offer to facilitate the translation of applications. Unfortunately we cannot offer to meet any translation costs.
13 October 1980
Cc:
Mr Paul FED
Lth lowood
L Underwood
Claims Department 214-6732
CONFIDENTI