*
G.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL ##
For information
(29,9.81)
HICK 3. 80/1
OCUK OFFICER INDEX
T1081
PA
機密
XCCI(81)46.00 Copy No
NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE DEA TH
OF INSPECTOR JOHN MACLENNAN
→ Pas 9/10
of 80
PAJA.O
On the 1st September, Members after considering memorandum XCC(81)97, advised and the Governor ordered that the full Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the MacLennan case should be published in English and Chinese simultaneously when ready; and that apart from free issues for the media and involved parties, both versions of the Report should be put on sale at a price of $50.
2
Printing has now been completed, and the Report will be published on Tuesday 29th September. Publication will take place at
3 p. m. by the issue of a government statement (copy attached) on the GIS tele printer, advising the media that copies of the Report and summaries in both languages are available for collection at the GIS office in Beaconsfield House. At the same time, it will be available to the public at GIS sales outlets.
3
On the morning of the 29th September, copies will be sent to the legal representatives of parties involved, (both in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom) under embargo until 3 p. m. on that day.
4
Members will note that the government statement is brief and avoids comment on the conclusions of the Commission. There will be no government press conference. Media questions will be dealt with centrally by the office of the Secretary for Information. The Hong Kong Government London Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will have received advance notification of publication, copies of the Report and summaries, and the necessary briefing documents.
5
The line to be taken is that the Report has been received by the government, carefully studied, and the government is taking action on the various necessary matters. It is the report of an independent Commission, and it speaks for itself. Care will be taken to avoid any impression that government "accepts" the Report, because although the general conclusions (as to suicide, improperly motivated investigations, conspiracy etc,) are indeed acceptable, the criticisms of for example the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police are not.
26th September 1981
(CR 3/3221/80)
COUNCIL CHAMBER
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
38