TNAG-0367-FCO40-413-Visits-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-to-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 50

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2200T173

COLONIAL SECRETARIAT,

HONG KONG.

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18 October 1973

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Jane Michner,

Mr. Robert Parry M.P.

I refer to your letter 1/32/220 dated 5 September

to Teddy Kidd about Mr. Parry's visit.

Mr. Parry came on 10 September and left on 10 October accompanied by his wife. A list of the visito

the arranged for him is attached.

As you

I did not personally meet him (though Teddy did) but was told by Brigadier Louthwaite that he was very pleasant, alert, and most interested in Hong Kong. know he came primarily to see the New Territories and the people there, and he spent much time with them, including, of course, Mr. Stephen Wong and Mr. Chan Yat-san. former was involved in a motor accident with Mr. Panny and unfortunately was injured but Mr. Parry was not.

The

Mr. Parry also saw quite a lot of Kowloon during a visit arranged by the Home Affairs Department and met the C.D.C. and several C.D.0.s. He saw samples of housing but was not briefed by the Housing Department in spite of two provisional dates having been made with the Department and an open invitation. Other activities prevented the visits taking place.

On the eve of his departure from the Colony the Heung Yee Kuk gave a dinner for Mr. Parry which was attended by a number of reporters. The result was the appearance of the articles attached which indicate that Mr. Parry was at least somewhat naive. When tackled on this by D. of P. Mr. Parry said that he had spoken at some length and had given credit to Government for helping him in every way by arran- ging visits, interviews etc. and that his comments on the inadequacy of the housing programme were those made by the Chairman of the Urban Council which he was repeating. He said that the reporters, particularly the Hong Kong Standard reporter, had been unfair in exaggerating (e.g. "lashed out"), taking pieces out of context and not giving any credit. of P. undertook to see that the Housing Department programme would be sent to him so that he would be fully informed before he spoke on the subject in U.K. and one hopes some- what more careful when dealing with the press.

D.