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in the Immigration Ordinance. But since the proposal has been made, and has received some publicity, we are bound to consider whether something can be done to meet the implied criticism.
5. One idea might be to allow each would-be immigrant the right to nominate somebody known to him who is already in Hong Kong to be present at his screening. There need be no payment involved (though the Hong Kong Government could perhaps undertake to contact the person nominated and transport him to the Immigration Clearance Centre and the right could be made subject to the condition that the person nominated should be immediately avail- able if he were unable or unwilling to come at once, the clearance process should not be delayed to suit his convenience. Such a person would, of course, be unlikely to be familiar with the immigration procedures, so he would not entirely meet the requirement. But he would provide moral support for the detainee and, more important, would be able to bear witness that illegal immigrants are dealt with humanely and sympathetically.
6.
I should be grateful for your views.
J A B Stewart
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