An action for libel is quite out of the
question
C
It is just what Lieutenant Commander
12
Hazlewood would like. He would brief Sir John Simon
and plead justification not without some hope of
success.
In the mean time the papers would be full
ST
of headings "Labour Government appeals to Courts
to stifle criticism. As regards the letters they
are impertinent und I think on that ground should
be left unanswered. Even if they were temperately
worded I would not reply argumentatively. It is not
the business of the Secretary of State to discuss
his policy and particularly his declarations
in Parliament with any citizen who chooses to write
to him.
Parliament is the place in which those matters
are to be debated.
What is more important is that Dr. Shiels tells
me that Sir J. Simon is going to raise this matter in
House of Commons after the recess.
He suggested we should telegraph to Gov. for
particulars of the measures taken to give effect
to the Mui Tsi Ordinance.
The despaten of 27th February however (which
I had not seen when I spoke to Dr. Shiels) No.33 on
this file appears to give all the information
available.
This despatch appears to me to show that the
Ordinance is being carried out very fully except that
there are no Government inspectors appointed to
go round and visit the Mui tsi periodically and
ascertain whether there are any complaints. That
is left to the Society for the protection of Children
hous (Just as in England there is no
hour
bowa - to - town
vi si tation by the police to see that people dont
ill treat their children it is left to private
initiative
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