TNAG-0396-FCO40-442-Problem-of-increase-in-crime-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 15

IMMEDIATE

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TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 568 OF 8 JUNE. 1973

YOUR TELEGRAM NO.568: REPRESENTATIONS ON NEW BILLS,

1. WE HAVE RECEIVED TWO LETTERS FROM ''JUSTICE'', THE BRITISH SECTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS, ABOUT THESE BILLS. THE FIRST WAS FROM THE SECRETARY, SARGANT, AND WE WERE ON THE POINT OF SENDING A REPLY BASED ON THE SPEECHES MADE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY HOBLEY, WHEN A SECOND, DATED 5 JUNE, ARRIVED FROM LORD GARDINER TO ME. IT ENCLOSED A COPY OF A LETTER FROM HENRY LITTON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF JUSTICE'S HONG KONG ÄND, LORD GARDINER'S REPRESENTATIONS ARE MADE IN FORCEFUL TERMS AND LITTON'S CRITICISMS GO WELL BEYOND THE POINTS COVERED IN HOBLEY'S SPEECH. COPIES OF BOTH LETTERS HAVE BEEN DESPATCHED TO YOU BY BAG.

2. WE HAVE ALREADY COMMENTED TO YOU THAT THE PROPOSED INCREASES IN JURISDICTION DO NOT SEEM OF THEMSELVES UNREASONABLE IN THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG. LORD GARDINER'S COMMENTS ARE CONCERNED LARGELY WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE STANDARDS OF THE LOWER COURTS AND THE QUESTION OF LEGAL AID, THE PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION ARE OBVIOUS.

3.

WE SHALL BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS UPON THE LETTERS AND SUGGESTIONS HOW WE MIGHT REPLY TO LORD GARDINER. WOULD YOU ALSO LET US KNOW THE TIMETABLE FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL TO JUDGE FROM YOUR TEL UNDER REF SECOND READING MAY ALREADY HAVE TAKEN PLACE.

DOUGLAS-HOME

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PS TO MR ROYLE

MIR RUSHFORD LEGAL ADVISERS

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