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FM FCO 221700Z JUNE 82
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 469 OF 22 JUNE.
PQ HONG KONG SEAMEN KILLED IN SOUTH ATLANTIC
1.
SIR A ROYLE HAS PUT DOWN THE FOLLOWING PQ:
23
TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
AFFAIRS, IF HE WILL REQUEST THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TO LAUNCH
A FUND SUPPORTED BY BOTH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC
TO PROVIDE EXTRA FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THOSE FAMILIES BEREAVED
BY THE DEATH OF HONG KONG SAILORS AND SERVICEMEN KILLED FIGHTING
FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE FALKLANDS WAR'.
2.
QUESTION WAS FOR ORAL ANSWER BUT WILL NOT BE REACHED.
MAY EXPLAIN SOMEWHAT ODD NATURE.
3. WE PROPOSE FOLLOWING DRAFT WRITTEN REPLY:
THIS
'HMG WILL MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO THE FAMILIES OF THESE BRAVE
MEN THROUGH THE PAYMENT OF DEATH GRATUITIES AND INSURANCE
INDEMNITIES AS APPROPRIATE. IN ADDITION THE SOUTH ATLANTIC FUND
AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES ARE
AVAILABLE AS A SOURCE OF ASSISTANCE. IF EXTRA FINANCIAL SUPPORT
WERE NEEDED I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF HONG
KONG WOULD CONSIDER MOST SYMPATHETICALLY HOW THE FAMILIES OF
THESE BRAVE MEN COULD BE FURTHER ASSISTED'.
4. GRATETUL FOR COMMENTS DESKBY 23090OZ
P42416
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