4
1
:
SHA: I DON'T THINK I CAN REALE?" A
TOMORE TO WHAT I HAVE
SAID. ONCE THE PAPEPS ARE PUBLIC DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED OFFICIALLY TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THEY FALL TO BE DEALT WITH UNDER THE PUBLIC
RECORDS ACT OF 1958 WHICH AS I SAID HAS SAFEGUARDS AGAINST THE PREMATURE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION RECEIVED IN CONFIDENCE. IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS MACHINERY TO ENSURE THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE LORD CHANCELLOR THAT PREMATURE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION, WHICH I MEAN IN 30 YEARS, IS NOT MADE.
BY
MR. PETER C. WONG: IS IT CORRECT THAT UNDER THE RELEVANT SECTION
THAT THE PERIOD IS 30 YEARS, AND THAT DURING THAT 30 YEARS THE
RECORDS WILL BE KEPT IN HONG KONG?
SHA: NO, SIR. I SAID THE PAPERS WILL BE SENT WITH THE ASSESSMENT REPORT BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE LONG BEFORE 30
YEARS, IN FACT, BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. ONCE IN LONDON, THEY DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE EXPOSED AFTER 30 YEARS. THE LORD CHANCELLOR MAY, WITH THE APPROVAL, OR AT THE REQUEST, OF
THE MINISTER OR OF OTHER PERSON, IF ANY, WHO APPEARS TO HIM TO BE PRIMARILY CONCERNED, FOR THE TIME BEING PERSCRIBED AS RESPECTS ANY PARTICULAR CLASS OF PUBLIC RECORDS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE
DISCLOSED.
THE PRESIDENT:
I THINK THAT POINT HAS BEEN FIRMLY ESTABLISHED
THE DESTINATION OF THE PAPERS.
"R. PETER C. WONG:
THERE IS JUST ONE FURTHER SUPPLEMENTARY.
THE PRESIDENT:
MAY I HEAR IT?
MR. PETER C. WONG: DO I UNDERSTAND FROM THE SECRETARY FOR HOME
AFFAIRS THAT NO DOCUMENTS WILL BE KEPT IN HONG KONG?
SHA:
YES, SIR.
THE PRESIDENT:
MRS. CHOW, YOU HAVE A QUESTION? I OVERLOOKED
YOU FIVE MINUTES AGO.
MRS. CHOW:
YOU JUST RULED OUT MY SUPPLEMENTARY, SIR.
MR. SWAINE: SIR, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHETHER THERE IS ANY
REASON WHY THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PEOPLE WHO DO WRITE TO THE
ASSESSMENT OFFICE SHOULD NOT BE EXPUNGED FROM THE DOCUMENTS THAT
ARE SENT TO LONDON AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN VERIFIED IN HONG KONG?
SHA: IT'S CERTAINLY NOT THOUGHT THAT THAT'S THE APPROPRIATE WAY
TO DEAL WITH THE DOCUMENTS. I THINK ONCE THE DOCUMENTS ARE IN LONDON, IT WILL BE FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO CONSIDER THE
ASSESSMENT REPORT AS A WHOLE WITH THE DOCUMENTS GOING WITH IT.
THE PRESIDENT:
MISS DUNN, HAVE YOU ANOTHER QUESTION?
CONFIDENTIAL
/MISS