720
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 01003OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 2214
OF 31180OZ AUGUST 88
CONFIDENTIAL
HKD 243/8
-1 SEP NO
030014
MDHOAN 3339
COPY
DV
N
719
YOUR TELNO 3200: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: HEI LING CHAU DISTURBANCES
1. THERE IS INDEED EXPERTISE IN THE UK WHICH COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU. THE HOME OFFICE PRISON INSPECTORATE, WHICH IS MADE UP OF RETIRED PRISON OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, IS THE BODY HERE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTING PRISONS AND INVESTIGATING ANY DISTURBANCES WHICH MAY OCCUR IN UK PRISONS. THE INSPECTORATE REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE HOME SECRETARY AND ITS FINDINGS ARE GENERALLY MADE PUBLIC.
THE HOME OFFICE PRISONS INSPECTORATE MAY ALSO CARRY OUT WORK IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHIEF INSPECTOR OF PRISONS, JUDGE TUMIN, RECENTLY VISITED THE CAYMAN ISLANDS TO CONDUCT A PRISON ENQUIRY FOR THE GOVERNOR.
3.
THE INSPECTORATE WOULD BE HAPPY TO OFFER ITS SERVICES TO YOU IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ENQUIRY INTO THE HEI LING CHAU DISTURBANCES. THEY COULD SEND AN EXPERT IN SUPPORT OF AN ENQUIRY HELD BY A LOCAL MAGISTRATE. OR, IF YOU WISHED, THEY WOULD BE PREPARED TO SEND A TWO OR THREE-MAN TEAM TO HONG KONG, FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IF NECESSARY, TO CARRY OUT THE WHOLE ENQUIRY. ONLY COST INVOLVED WOULD BE AIR FARES AND PER DIEM PAYMENTS.
THE
OUR CONTACT IN THE INSPECTORATE THOUGHT IT LIKELY THAT JUDGE TUMIN WOULD BE WILLING TO CONDUCT THE ENQUIRY HIMSELF IF INVITED, AND WOULD BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO HONG KONG AT REASONABLY SHORT NOTICE, SAY TEN DAYS OR SO. IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO PURSUE THIS, WE COULD DO SO IMMEDIATELY ON JUDGE TUMIN'S RETURN FROM HOLIDAY ON 5 SEPTEMBER.
CHALKER
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