TNAG-0106-FCO40-142-Proposals-to-appoint-an-Ombudsman-1969 — Page 39

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VISIT OF DEPUTY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE

*

(SIR LESLIE MONSON)

TO HONG KONG, OCTOBER, 1969

36

Note No. 10

COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATION

(OMBUDSMAN) IN HONG KONG

LAST

REF.

BEXT

X

The background is set out in the attached note which was prepared for Lord Shepherd's visit to Hong Kong in June.

The Minister held discussions both with the Governor and

with unofficial members of Executive and Legislative Councils

and it was agreed that no conclusion should be reached on the appointment of an Ombudsman (or Commissioner for Administration) until the possibility had been fully

explored of strengthening machinery which already existed

for enabling the people of Hong Kong to make known their views and grievances to the authorities. The machinery

which both the Minister and the Governor had particularly

in mind in this context was the Office of the Unofficial

Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (the UMELCO Office). The Governor agreed to assist unofficial

members in the search for a suitable high powered candidate for appointment as Secretary in that Office (the possibility

of obtaining the services of a retired administrative officer was mentioned). There the matter rests.

2. The subject is not an urgent one but it is of occasional

Parliamentary concern here. The Minister would be interested

in any further developments there might be to report.

29

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October, 1969

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