TNAG-0225-FCO40-261-Ministerial-meetings-on-internal-affairs-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 50

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PERSONAL and CONFIDENTIAL

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assistance scheme has been announced.

I am assuming that this new scheme will make it unnecessary for the children of poorer families to work to supplement

the

family income. I appreciate the practical difficulties in the way of enforcing compulsory primary education but I am not convinced that it would be right to delay the introduction of this important measure for that reason alone.

(ii) Housing.

The Prime Minister was most

impressed by the remarkable achievements of the Hong Kong Government over the last decade in providing accommodation

He has, for the people of the Colony. however, stressed to me his hope that it will be possible by a "crash" programme

to increase the rate at which it is planned to house the remaining 500,000

I squatters and so finish the job. should therefore be most grateful if you

could have a special study made of this

problem.

(iii) Parliamentary Commissioner for

Administration (Ombudsman

I would like to see a post of

Ombudsman or similar office established

as soon as possible.

I know that some of

the unofficial members of both the Executive and Legislative Councils doubt whether such a post is necessary

and that the constitutional position of the Colony makes it impossible to follow the model of responsibility to Parliament

But just as that is appropriate here.

INOTINASS

PERSONAL and CONFIDENTIAL

/Hong Kong

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