The Rt Hon David Howell MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A OAA
NSO
Thank you for your letter of 29 April enclosing one from your constituents, Mr and Mrs R J Harris of 52 London Road, Guildford. You ask about the general
situation in the Hong Kong Legal Department in the light
of the points/they raise.
First Mr and Mrs Harris ask about the treatment of
Mrs P Baker, who has represented Vietnamese boat people
in her capacity as a legal aid lawyer. I have had enquiries made of the Security Branch and Correctional
Services Department of the Hong Kong Government, who are responsible for these matters. I understand that there is no question of Mrs Baker having been denied access to
her clients at any time. her
However, whereas she previously
had unrestricted access to the detention centres, from
2/6 November 1990 she was asked to interview them in Anterview rooms provided for that purpose, as every other
lawyer in Hong Kong is expected to do.
PICAAU/CC