TNAG-0313-FCO40-349-Reports-of-typhoons-and-storms-from-Hong-Kong-Typhoon-Rose---1976 — Page 105

EK 11/1

8 T Kida Esq

Acting Deputy Colonial Secretary hic. FONG

Hong Kong Department

LAST

REF.

29 July 1971

NO

REF.

(6)

1.

We were not surprised to hear that you were puzzled by our onquiries about Typhoon Lucy. We too were puzzled by emuiries we received not only from Mr Ben Ford but also from members of the public, including the British Red Cross.

2.

I understand

that the BBC I did not hear it myself broadcast something about the t phoon early in the morning of 22 July. It looks therefore as if this broadcast which was presumably based on the early forecasts that the effects

I am of the typhoon would be severe alarmed people here. horever guessing. In any event as soon as we knew from you that this was in fact a minor typhoon we were able to reassure everybody who consulted us and the Speaker was apparently quite happy to disallow Mr Ford's Private Notice PQ.

3. When a Private Notice Parliamentary Question is disallowed it is opon to the Member concerned to put the question down again the following day. It must then be answered that day or within 3 sitting days; alternatively, the Minister concorned may decide to write to the Member if for any reason it is not possible to produce a satisfactory answer to the question within 3 days. In the case of Typhoon Lucy, we clearly had to consult you again no ve ruled out an immediate answer on the Friday afternoon. c 130 felt that we could not recommend that the Minister should write to Mr Ford. We were thus left with the third alternative to provide an answer by the following Wednesday, 23 July, at the latest. I hope this brief explanation of what

mened will be of some interest to you.

You will be receiving reparately the text of the answer iven by Mr Royle to Mr Ford (Hansard 28 July, Col 117, Vol 822) but I am enclosing a copy with this letter.

5.

You will see that Kroyle thought it right to take the Opportunity to congratulate the Hong Kong Government on their arrangements for dealing with typhoons.

E O Laird

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