TNAG-0397-FCO40-443-Problem-of-increase-in-crime-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 124

VUNMDENTIAL

CHAPTER 3.

APPENDIX

Colonial Regulations

CHAPTER VII

H. Individuals

Part II

168. Any person in a colony has the right to make representations to the Governor on matters of a public or private nature, and in exercising this right shall address the Governor through the Colonial Secretary. The duty of the Governor is to consider and act upon each such representation as public expediency or justice to the individual may appear to require, with the assistance in certain cases of his Executive Council; and if he doubts what steps to take thereupon, or if public advantage may appear to require it, he shall refer the matter to the Secretary of State.

169. Any person in a colony has the right to address the Secretary of State, if he thinks proper; in which case he shall transmit his communication, unsealed and in triplicate, to the Governor, requesting him to forward it in due course to the Secretary of State. Every letter, memorial, or other document which may be received by the Secretary of State from a Colony otherwise than through the Governor will be referred back to the Governor for his report or return to the sender.

170. The preceding rule requiring transmission of correspondence with the Secretary of State through the Governor is based on the strongest grounds of public convenience, in order that all communications may be duly verified, as well as reported on, before they reach the Secretary of State. It extends therefore to communications relating to public affairs as well as to the concerns of the writer, and to those from public bodies.

171. Petitions addressed to the Queen, or petitions addressed to the Queen in Council (other than petitions of appeal or petitions for special leave to appeal from decrees, orders, sentences or decisions of courts, judges, or judicial officers), and memorials to public officers or departments of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, shall be in like manner sent to the Governor for transmission to the Secretary of State.

172. The Governor shall transmit to the Secretary of State with all reasonable despatch every communication received by him in accordance with Regulations 169 to 171, accompanied by such report as its contents may appear to him to require. This instruction does not apply to second or subsequent communications where the petition or other document contains no new matter relating to the appeal.

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CONFIDENTIAL