TNAG-0106-FCO40-142-Proposals-to-appoint-an-Ombudsman-1969 — Page 25

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Mist Emery

Mr. Wilford

Mr. Godden

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Problem

Mr. Sargant, Secretary of the British section of the Inter- national Commission of Jurists ("Justice"), has addressed two letters

to Lord Shepherd on the appointment of an Ombudsman in Hong Kong

which require reply.

2. The first dated 20 October encloses a copy of a report on the

subject prepared and published by the Hong Kong Branch of Justice and invites the Minister "to press it on the attention of the Hong

Kong Government as being worthy of attention". The same letter

suggests that the appointment of an Ombudsman in Seychelles may also be useful. The letter arrived during the Minister's absence abroad

and an interim reply was sent on 27 October.

3. The second dated 14 November asks if he can be allowed to have a 3) copy of the draft legislation on the subject which he understands is

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in existence in Hong Kong.

Recommendation

4. I recommend that the Minister replies to both letters in the

terms of the attached draft.

Background and Argument

5. The appointment of an Ombudsman in Hong Kong has been under consideration by the Governor for several years. In January this year a tentative draft Bill was placed before Executive Council to give its members some idea of how the Ombudsman concept might be applied in Hong Kong and to test their reactions. It was not intended to represent the final form that such legislation might take.

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Members of Executive Council expressed reservations about the proposal to import the Ombudsman concept and decided to examine how UMELCO might be strengthened so that it could deal more effectively

with public complaints. These views were reflected in the Governor's speech to the Legislative Council on 26 February.

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