CONFIDENTI^L
5. THERE IS A POTENTIAL DIFFICULTY OVER THE EXCEPTIONS TO ARTICLE 43 OF THE CONVENTION IN PARA 5 OF THE CHINESE DRAFT. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT STILL EXISTS IN HONG KONG. IN THEORY, A CONSULAR OFFICAL WHO HAD CONCLUDED A CONTRACT NOT ON BEHALF OF THE VISA OFFICE, AND WHO WAS THE SUBJECT OF A CLAIM ARISING OUT OF THAT CONTRACT,
OR WOULD BE LIABLE FOR IMPRISONMENT EITHER PENDING A HEARING,
IN ORDER TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT ON PAYMENT OF ANY DEBT (OR BOTH). WE SHALL HAVE TO CONSIDER HOW THIS PROBLEM MIGHT BE DEALT WITH IN THE LEGISLATION, WITH THE OBJECT OF ACCORDING THE SAME DEGREE OF IMMUNITY TO THE VISA OFFICE STAFF AS IS AVAILABLE TO CONSULAR OFFICERS IN HONG KONG. THIS IS A FURTHER ARGUMENT IN FAVOUR OF STICKING TO THE ORIGINAL APPROACH.
YOUDE
LIMITED
HKD FED NTD
PROTOCOLD.
CONS.D.
MUD
PS / MR. LUCE
SIR. W. HARDING
MR. WILSON
LORD N. GORDON-LENNOX
COPIES TO.
SIR. P. CRADDOCK
2.
CONFIDENTIAL