Draft
an FED 125/400/010
68
Page 128
11th December 1964
Following your question about Hong Kong in the House on 26th November I asked the Department to look into your statement, which puzzled me considerably, that it was only four months ago that the right to form political parties was conceded to the people of Hong Kong.
It is incorrect to say that the formation of political parties is, or ever has been prohibited in hong Long. Since 1949, all Associations, whatever
their nature or objects, except those constituted or registrable under other provisions of Hong rong or United Kingdom law, e.g., banks, companies and trade unions have been required to comply with the provisions of the Hong Kong Societies Ordinance. This is by no means an unusual legal require sent and is particularly necessary in Hong Hong where political parties could Jasily have external loyalties.
Political parties have been registered under the Ordinance regularly since its introduction and have never been prohibited. They include the Hong Kong
JOHN RARRER1280f344. p.
/Reform
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