TNAG-0361-FCO40-407-Political-parties-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 16

Mr Wilford

CONFIDENTIAL

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PARTY OF LIBERTY AND DEMOCRACY

1.

On 1 January, Mr Diamond Yun, Chairman of the Party of

Liberty and Democracy, wrote a rambling letter direct to the

Prime Minister advocating self-government for Hong Kong. Since

the letter had the attributes of a petition, in accordance with

Dependent Territories Departmental Practice, Chapter 3, Para-

graphs 4 and 6(b), we sent it to the Deputy Colonial Secretary,

asking him to inform Mr Yun of the correct method of trans-

mitting a petition through the Governor to the Secretary of

State.

2.

Mr Yun has now returned to the charge with another confused

Colonial letter, forwarded this time by the Deputy Secretary under cover

of his letter of 14 March. Mr Lloyd says that the Party of

Liberty and Democracy is virtually a one-man band, and suggests

that we ask him to send a brief reply, saying only that he has

been directed to inform Mr Yun that his views have been noted.

Dependent Territories Departmental Practice, Chapter 3,

Paragraph 14(b), provides that an Assistant Under-Secretary of

State may take a decision to support the recommendation of the

Governor on a petition. In this case, it is self-evident that

Mr Yun's demand for self-government cannot be entertained.

you agree, therefore, I should like to reply to Mr Lloyd, asking

him to act as he proposes.

3.

If

20 March 1973

12.B. homo.

R B Crows on

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept

य

agree MW3

CONFIDENTIAL

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