A,B
C
PTAAEP (2)
Background
CONFIDENTIAL
References:
A.
B.
C:
D:
E:
Letter from Mr Clifford Allison to Sir Peter Blaker of 1 March
1988
Letter from Mr Clifford Allison to Sir Peter Blaker of 14 April
1988
Letter from Lord Glenarthur to Sir Peter Blaker of 17 March 1988
Memorandum from Director of Immigration Hong Kong 14 April 1988
Letter from Lord Glenarthur to Sir Peter Blaker of 9 June 1988
1. The idea of establishing a British Representative Office in
Hong Kong, before 1997 was first raised last year by
Mr Clifford Allison, then chairman of "Conservatives Abroad" in Hong
Kong. Mr Allison has since raised it again this year in two letters
to Sir Peter Blaker. Lord Glenarthur replied to the first on 17
March in terms similar to those used last year, explaining the presentational, practical and political difficulties inherent in the
idea.
D
[L]
E
2.
We believe that British expatriates in Hong Kong are well
catered for and that Mr Allison's concerns are not well founded.
Hong Kong Immigration Department have provided a memorandum in response to Mr Allison's complaints which confirms this. It makes clear that the services they provide to British expatriates in Hong
Kong are just as extensive as those given in any overseas consular
posts. It also meets the two specific criticisms Mr Allison had in
his letter of 1 March: namely that it was difficult for expatriates
to register for voting in UK elections and to renew their passports.
Both criticisms are apparently unfounded. In a reply to Mr
Allison's second letter, sent on 23 May, Lord Glenarthur drew on
this memorandum to answer the criticisms that Mr Allison had raised
and to reassure him that Her Majesty's Government have in no way
been dismissive of his concern.
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong Department
June 1988