TNAG-0305-FCO40-341-Use-of-Chinese-as-official-language-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 50

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 380838Z

RESTRICTED

REGSTRINETS 1

-1 DEC 1971

HKX 8/3

TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 896 OF 32 NOVEMBER.

YOUR TELEGRAM 898.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION BY JAMES JOHNSON.

I SUGGEST A REPLY ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:

TOP COPY

LAST

REF.

69

NEXT

REF.

71

QUOTE WHERE CHINESE IS THE LANGUAGE OF A LITIGANT OR A WITNESS HE MAY USE IT IN ANY COURT PROCEEDINGS, AND THE PROCEEDINGS ARE INTERPRETED FOR SUCH A LITIGANT. THE COURT RECORDS ARE KEPT IN ENGLISH AND LEGAL ARGUMENT IS CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH. THE LEGISLATION

GOVERNING THE TENANCY TRIBUNAL PROVIDES THAT TENANTS OF LOW RENTAL LETTINGS CAN AND DO USE CHINESE IN DOUCMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE TRIBUNAL: AND IN PRACTICE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE OFTEN CONDUCTED

WHOLLY IN CHINESE. CORRESPONDENCE WITH REGISTRARS OF COURTS MAY

BE IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE AT THE OPTION OF A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC

UNQUOTE.

FCO PASS COPY TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON

MACLEHOSE

FILES:

HKD

FED

COPIES TO:

H.K.GOVT. OFFICE

SIR L MONSON

MR WILFORD

LEGAL ADVISERS

RESTRICTED