Reply:
49.
+
Mr President,
The answers to the Honourable Member's questions, in the order they are raised, are as follows:-
(a)
(b)
(c)
The number of Hong Kong residents who have approached the British Embassy in Peking for assistance since 1991 amounts to 40 where action has been necessary. There have, however, been numerous other cases where only advice on various matters such as nationality, passports, marriage, legal/contractual disputes, lost documents was sought and given. Records before 1991 are not available.
All Hong Kong residents who have contacted the Embassy in Peking have received the assistance asked for. Such assistance includes obtaining funds from relatives and friends in Hong Kong, helping to trace missing persons, obtaining details of Hong Kong residents detained in China, arranging hospital visits, and obtaining replacement travel documents. The Embassy has also offered assistance by giving advice on nationality and marriage matters, and provided lists of lawyers in cases of legal dispute.
The British Embassy in Peking has never refused a request for assistance. There have been in some cases a limit to the assistance the Embassy can give. This is particularly true in cases involving company/contractual/business disputes. However, the Embassy has made every possible effort in helping Hong Kong residents.
End
Plans to meet airlines' operation requests
Following is a question by the Hon Howard Young and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council how it plans to meet the airlines' requests for operating scheduled and non-scheduled services during the summer
months in 1997?