Correspondence between the Colonial Office and other departments, institutions, business enterprises and persons relative to the business dealt with in the despatches and telegrams.
(2)
4
Drafts of Secretary of State despatches and telegrams in reply.
Sessional Papers (PRO ref, CO 131) which include Executive Council Minutes.
4
The above listed records, plus others to which the 30 years' rule applies, are open to public access, with the exception of certain documents, the revelation of which would or might constitute a breach of confidence between the Government and members of the public from whom the information contained in the records was obtained. A PRO (London) list of CO 129 records for the period 1926-46 shows that certain records have been nominated to remain closed to public access for 50 or more years, and others are retained by departments and are not available to the public. This indicates that the more sensitive records gremain closed.
G.S. 84
Situation in Hong Kong
5
The rules governing access to public records in Hong Kong are laid down by the Public Records (Access) Rules 1972, copy at Annex. Rule 4a applies the 30 year rule, except to public records which in the opinion of the Chief Secretary should not be disclosed to the public (Rule 5). Other records available for public inspection include those the contents of which have already been published or disclosed to the public in Hong Kong or which are open to the public in London (Rule 4b). The authority for granting access to public records is the Chief Secretary (Rule 7): for 'closed' records not normally available to the public, his specific authority is required; for open records available for public inspection, the Archivist may grant permission.
Making open in Hong Kong those records open to the public in London
6
Under the Rules those records mentioned in paragraph 3 above, which are open to the public in London, may be made open for public inspection in Hong Kong. The Chief Secretary may, however, withhold any such records the disclosure of which, in his opinion, would not be in the public interest or might be embarrasing to the source of information.
RESTRICTED