TNAG-0263-FCO40-299-Problem-of-increase-in-crime-rate-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 14

CONFIDENTIAL

22

Mr. Laird

Th Gamiana

En. 7 ? Crime in Hong Kong. với

Before writing to the Governor I should like an attempt

made to find out more about the problems thrown up by the recent

legislation in Northern Ireland, which involves minimum sentences

of imprisonment on persons convicted of certain offences. It

seems to me that the passage in the draft about the doctrine in

Great Britain is liable to be dismissed in Hong Kong as a look

at the solution "wholly through Western eyes" see para. 1 of the

Governor's letter.

2.

I know that the Home Office regard themselves as primarily

the channel of communication between the U.K. and Northern Ireland

Governments and may therefore not have full information on a

matter which falls wholly within the constitutional responsibility

of the Northern Ireland Government. But, if the Home Office have

not the information available, could we not take advantage of the

adventitious presence of a member of the Diplomatic Service in

Belfast to get a report on what precisely these difficulties are?

hithiyam

(L. Monson)

4, December, 1970.

C.C.

Mr. Wilford.

CONFIDENTIAL