TNAG-0503-FCO40-568-Immigration-and-nationality-policy-of-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 14

NICK 18/10

CONFIDENTIAL Reference......

Mr MacDonald (Parliamentary Unit, W 58A)

PQS ON HONG KONG

Please refer to paragraph 4 of Hong Kong telegram no 1105 to the FCO (copy attached).

1.

20

This telegram, and the Governor's comment, were provoked by 10 written PQs on Hong Kong tabled by Mr James Sillars MP on 4 November for answer on 6 November.' The Governor's complaint seems scarcely unreasonable; while naturally we (and he) want to do all we can to provide MPs with information they require, this beat-the- clock quiz programme approach to Pus can only produce answers less comprehensive and satisfactory than we would wish, at maximum inconvenience to those concerned. Is it not possible, therefore, when a PQ is tabled at what we would regard as unreasonably short notice, to defer the answer until we are in a position to provide one satisfactorily?

6 November 1974

D K Timms

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept