RESTRICTED
5. ON A POINT OF PRINCIPLE, I AM DOUBTFUL WHETHER IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION TO BE ASKED ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SPENDS ITS FUNDS, BEARING IN MIND THE DELEGATION OF FINANCIAL AUTONOMY TO HONG KONG BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN 1958 (COLONIAL OFFICE DESPATCH NO. 96 OF 14 JANUARY 1958 REFERS). IF YOU AGREE WITH ME, I SUGGEST THAT THE REPLY TO QUESTION (B) SHOULD BE PHRASED ON THE FOLLOWING LINES :-
BEGINS. THE AMOUNT THAT THE VISIT COST IS A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AS IT CONCERNS THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG TO MEET THE EXPENSES OF THE UMELCO OFFICE. ENDS.
HADDON-CAVE
LIMITED
HED
MR WILSON
RESTRICTED
C