Mr Wilford
CONFIDENTIAL
(ACT
REF.
32)
51
NEW LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG
1. You will remember that Lord Gardiner, as Chairman of
Justice, wrote to the Secretary of State about the new courts'
Flag Alegislation in Hong Kong. Lord Gardiner's letter of 5 June and
the Secretary of State's reply of 27 June are attached.
2.
Flag B
Subsequently the Secretary of Justice, Mr Sargant, told
me that Lord Gardiner wished to take up the offer of discussions
of the new legislation in the FCO. He has asked whether we
would agree to meet a Justice delegation on 24 August at 11 am.
The participants from their side would be Lord Gardiner,
Mr Sargant, Mr Jackson-Lipkin from Hong Kong and one other.
Mr Rushford and I are available but, since the Justice team will
be led by Lord Gardiner, it would be appropriate if you could
take the chair in your office. I understand from your PA that
the timing is possible. I recommend accordingly.
3. The original representations of Justice mainly concerned
the proposed new powers for the Magistrates Courts. These
objections were, however, met by the Governor's decision to
drop, at least for the time being, the Magistrates (Amendment)
Bill. The committee of Justice nevertheless remained dissatis-
fied with the remaining changes, particularly the delegation of
some cases to the District Courts, where there is no trial by
jury and legal aid is restricted. These objections have been
CONFIDENTIAL
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