CC: PS/parel-Jones
Mr McLaren'
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
From the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
22 August 1990
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The Joint Committee on the
Promotion of Democratic Government
c/o 9th Floor
618 Nathan Road
Kowloon
HONG KONG
HKB 011 15
Dear Sirs,
Mr Steel)
Mr Sainty
SJuly
Thank you for your letter of July about the prosecution of certain individuals in Hong Kong under the Summary Offences Ordinance, which was handed to Mr Francis Maude during his recent visit to Hong Kong. Lord Caithness has now taken over responsibility for Hong Kong matters, but I am replying in his
absence.
As you know, the cases referred to in your letter are sub judice and I cannot comment on the particular circumstances of the cases you quote.
Nevertheless, the laws under which charges were brought are laws of the Hong Kong Government. The decision to prosecute was taken by the Hong Kong Attorney General. It must be for the Hong Kong Government to handle these case in accordance with Hong Kong law.
JourSincerely
Markt emme Bord
Воза
Mark Lennox-Boyd
$3