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and amused curiosity.
A life peerage would probably be seen
as no more than a further step in the already existing system
of honours. The Chinese attitude probably need not, therefore,
by itself be an obstacle.
6. In sum, it seems that, whilst the idea is possible, it is
not very practicable. This is partly because of the difficulty
of finding a suitable candidate in Hong Kong without arousing
excessive jealousies; and partly because of the likelihood that
other dependent territories would claim similar recognition.
Gibraltar and General Department have suggested that, if,
nevertheless, we thought it expedient to pay more than lip
service to the suggestion, a ground rule might be that a
Hong Kong personality could only be considered for a life
peerage when he was permanently resident in Britain. Life Peers
are expected to play active roles in the House of Lords, and
they need to be readily available to do so.
10 January 1974
2.1. horser.
RB Crowson
Hong Kong & Indian
Ocean Department
3.
I do not
Lime.
think this
state at
the present
Apart from all the
problems of precedent
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