CONFIDENTIAL
M:
N:
0:
P:
HMG's legal obligations under the International Covenant. Minute from UND on the question of the UK's obligations under the Covenant and how these obligations could be met if Hong Kong refused to amend their legislation and Mr Edwards' response. Attorney General's response to Mr Clift's letter (at K) asking Hong Kong to reconsider the whole question of amending their legislation.
Mr Burrows' response to flag N and Mr Edwards' response. Minute Lord Belstead Secretary of State on the policy and FCO telno 106 recording SOSFA's agreement that closed camp policy should remain in force.
4. While going through the files to track down these papers, I also noticed that the whole question of Hong Kong "pushing off" boats was raised in 1982. I also attach copies of papers on this matter, flagged up as follows:
AA: Hong Kong Police Force's draft operational order on Opposed
Towing of Craft.
BB:
CC:
DD:
EE:
FF:
GG:
HH:
Mr Burrows' advice on Hong Kong's proposal.
HKD's letter to Hong Kong drawing attention to the
implications of introducing such a policy.
HKG's reply to C.
MOD's internal views on the issue.
SEAD's views on the precedence set by a similar proposal to turn VBP's away in Brunei.
MOD's comments on the legal implications of the
introduction of a policy along these lines.
MOD's consideration of the proposal in their submission to Ministers advising against the introduction of such a policy.
This proposal then seems to have been dropped, I have been unable to find any further papers on the matter on
file.
5.
Apologies for the number of background papers I have attached, if you find that I have nevertheless left out something you would like to see, let me know. I would be grateful for your views on whether there is anything which has happened in the interim period 1982-1989 which may have changed the legal advice given then on these two issues.
16 May 1989
CONFIDENTIAL
Carma Ellior.
C Elliot (Miss)
Hong Kong Department WH312
270 2653