2
The MacLennan Inquiry
6. Mr Justice Yang, the Commissioner investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Inspector MacLennan, has presented his report. He found that the Inspector had committed suicide. This is a matter for the Hong Kong Government on which it would not be appropriate to comment.
Vietnamese refugees
Her Majesty's Government recognises the difficulties caused by the continued presence of refugees in Hong Kong. We are still concentrating on fulfilling our commitment to accept 10,000 refugees.
7.
Nationality Law
8.
Hong Kong has expressed concern about some of the provisions of the Law. The Government
made amendments to the Bill which go a long way towards allaying this. These include discretionary powers for the registration as British Citizens of British Dependent Territories' Citizens who are Crown Servants under the Government of a Dependent Territory and the right of British Dependent Territories' Citizens to be registered as British Citizens after 5 years lawful residence in the United Kingdom, rather than having to apply for naturalisation, as originally proposed. Although it has not been possible to meet all Hong Kong's wishes, no-one should be in any doubt that Her Majesty's Government's commitment to Hong Kong remains as strong as ever. The Act
in no way changes this.
Dependent Territories:
9.
Death Penalty
Her Majesty's Government's policy on capital punishment leaves choice of abolition or retention of death penalty to local legislatures. Crown's exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy is delegated to Governors, although this does not preclude appeals to Her Majesty. The death sentence remains on the statute books of seven Dependent Territories.