HWB 1/16
22 October, 1968
16
I am replying to your letter CR L/M 347/68 of 28 September to Heath Mason about what Bernacchi claims Lord Shepherd told him in London.
Bernacchi saw the Minister of State on 16 August for about half an hour. The purpose of the call was primarily a courtesy one, though, inevitably, some aspects of the Hong Kong scene were touched upon. The Private Secretary was called away shortly after Bernacchi called and, therefore, there is no record of the interview.
Lord Shepherd has seen the newspaper cuttings of 5 and 6 September. His clear recollection is that he told Bernacchi, in conversation, that he once held the strong view that an Ombudsman would have an important role to play in Hong Kong; but although he could still see the need for an Ombudsman he saw considerable difficulties about such an appointment at this stage. He went on to say that he felt that the Chinese District Officer arrangement might well meet some of the needs and that we ought to wait and see how this scheme developed before giving any further thought to the Ombudsman proposal.
M. D. Gass, Esq., CMG.,
Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong.
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(W. S. Carter)
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