TNAG-0214-FCO40-250-Proposals-for-appointment-of-a-ombudsman-in-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 125

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Loral

Affent. D

e

Sir L. Monson

Mooson

Mr. Dyff

Mr Wethan

Wed 7 3/4

Parliamentary Question by Lord Beaumont of Whitley

I submit the attached draft reply. It is rather long but since

the Question is for written answer perhaps this does not matter.

2 Notes for supplementaries are not required.

Poli Flags

Aand B

HKIL1/19 (1560/9

2. Three previous Parliamentary Questions have been asked on this

subject. Lord Shepherd was also questioned on the matter by FiLord Brockway in the House of Lords in June 1969. However, the

present Question is clearly a follow-up to an earlier Question by Lord Beaumont about Ombudsmen in dependent territories generally;

Flag

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that Question was answered by Lord Shepherd on 24 March.

3. I assume that the present Question will be answered by Lord Chalfont since Lord Shepherd will be away until 15 April.

Background

4. The Hong Kong Government have for several years been considering the possibility of establishing an Ombudsman or something similar;

and it is evident that among the unofficial members of both the

Executive and Legislative Councils there is a substantial body of

opinion which doubts the necessity for such an appointment.

Existing facilities

5. There have been arrangements in Hong Kong for some time enabling

members of the public to make known and seek redress for their grievances. These arrangements include :

(a) The office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and

Legislative Councils (UMELCO)

This is an office through which members of the public can

bring their views and complaints to the notice of unofficial

members of the two Councils. The Governor is at present

taking steps to provide the office with an administrative

secretary of high calibre. This officer will act as a

receiving point for representations from the public and

will make any necessary enquiries from the relevant

departments of Government.

/ (6)

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