GRS 110
CONFENDENTINAL
FM HONG KONG
TO HIMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1892
OF 181035Z JUNE 86
CONFIDENTIAL
YOUR TEL. NO. 1088: CHILD ABDUCTION AND CUSTODY ACT 1985
WE ARE RELUCTANT TO ADD TO THE LIST OF UK LEGISLATION WHICH S EXTENDED TO HONG KONG. THERE WOULD THEREFORE HAVE TO BE A VERY STRONG NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE RECIPROCAL INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS COVERED BY THE ACT FOR US TO REQUEST EXTENSION TO HONG KONG. SHINCE WE HAVE HEARD OF NO CASES WHERE SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN USEFUL, OUR PRELIMINARY VIEW IS THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS MAY NOT (NOT) BE NEEDED. IF WE (NEXT WORD UNDERLINED) DND WISH THE CHILD ABDUCTION AND CUSTODY ACT TO BE EXTENDED TO
HONG KONG (NEXT WORD UNDERLINED) AND IF WE WISHED FOR THE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE CONTINUED AFTER 1997, THE PRC WOULD HAVE TO BĖ CONSULTED. THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE AT THE HRO SUB-GROUP IN OCTOBER. HOWEVER, THE PRC MS NOT A SIGNATORY STATE TO THE HAGUE CONVENTION. WE CANNOT SEE IT BECOMING ONE IN ORDER TO ENABLE US TO CONTINUE
THESE ARRANGEMENTS UNLESS WE CAN PREVENT EVIDENCE TO PROVE OUR
NEED OF THEM.
2. WE ARE MAKING FURTHER ENQUIRIES TO CONFIRM OUR UNDERSTANDING
THAT SUCH CASES HAVE NOT ARISEN. WE WILL EXAMINE THE DESTRABILITY
OF EXTENDING THE ACT TO HONG KONG IN THE LIGHT OF OUR FINDINGS
AND WILL GIVE A SUBSTANTIVE REPLY IN DUE COURSE.
YOUDE
MINIMAL
Akk 230
RECEIV'
ISTRY
20 JUN 1986
REGI
Actios
HKD
CONS D
NTO
LEGAL ADVISERS
[12
CONFIDENT I AL