TNAG-0551-FCO40-646-Allegations-of-corruption-and-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1975 — Page 61

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Written Answers

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30 JUNE 1975

have failed to report for duty following the commencement of investigations by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

and welfare, have been postponed and which have been cancelled as the result of Budget cuts announced in March 1975.

Mr. Hattersley: The Hong Kong Government is expected this year to spend over HK$200 million more on health, education and social welfare than in 1974-75, an increase of almost 11 per cent. No items have been cancelled. Major items postponed are the opening of a new hospital and related clinics for six months, and capital works in respect of the universities and some secondary schools for one year.

Mr. Newens asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on

the collapse of the Paul Lee engineering firm in Hong Kong.

Mr. Hattersley: In October 1974, inspectors were appointed to investigate the affairs of the company. In the light of the inspectors' interim report, the Financial Secretary petitioned, and the court ordered, that the company be wound up under the provisions of the Companies Ordinance. The matter is now under investigation by the police.

Į

Mr. Newens asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate steps to provide for the reform of company law in Hong Kong to bring regulations on disclosure and company accounts into line with current practice in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Hattersley: With effect from October 1975, the relevant Hong Kong law will be similar to that in Britain, with only some variations. These relate mainly to private companies, which with some exceptions need not comply with the new accounting provisions, and to the dis- closure of directors' interests, where the requirements are less detailed.

Mr. Newens asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many police officers have failed to report for duty in the Royal Hong Kong Police, following the com- mencement of investigations by the Inde- pendent Commission Against Corrup- tion; and if he will indicate their ranks.

Mr. Hattersley: Three station ser- geants, four sergeants and one constable

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Mr. Newens asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Royal Hong Kong Police are still equipped with DM gas; and in what circumstances it is envisaged that it would be used.

Mr. Hattersley: The Royal Hong Kong Police Force is not equipped with DM

gas.

Ministerial Appointments

Mr. John Evans asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Aflairs if he will list in the Official Report the boards, committees and organ- isations to which he has the power to appoint, in the North-West region of England.

Mr. Hattersley: There are no such bodies in the North-West Region of England to which my right hon. Friend makes appointments.

Nuclear Materials

Mr. Faulds asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the meet- ing which took place in London recently with representatives of foreign Govern- ments on the control of supplies of nuclear materials.

Mr. Hattersley: Representatives of some Governments met in London to dis- cuss common problems concerning nuclear

This was not unusual. energy.

Such

meetings have occurred before and will, no doubt, continue, but as the meeting was on an informal and confidential nature it would not be appropriate for me to give any account of the discussion.

Council of Ministers

Mr. Robin F. Cook asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those occasions on which a Minister at the Scottish Office has attended a meeting of the Council of Ministers either as a full member or as an observer.

Mr. William Ross: I have been asked to reply.

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