TNAG-1101-FCO40-1351-Legislation-on-homosexuality-in-Hong-Kong-including--Report--1981 — Page 4

powers with the Senior Legal Adviser at F. C. O. who has confirmed that they are in order. A leading London Silk presently in Hong Kong is of the same

opinion. Mr Peter Blaker, M. P. at a recent meeting with . the Governor considered the political implications

and indicated that were the Commission to be directed to proceed in camera such an approach should politically not be too difficult to defend. Consideration is being given to the possibility of briefing leading London Counsel to appear on behalf of Government.

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For the assistance of Members a short chronology of the Maclennan affairs is at Annex H.

Public and Media Reactions

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The Chinese media has all along given significantly less coverage to proceedings of the Inquiry than has the English media. In the last few months it has received decreasing prominence in the English media. There have been only occasional articles in the overseas press since the initial reportage. Those individuals and groups having an interest in emphasising or bringing to public notice various aspects of the Inquiry are, like everyone else, subject to the subjudice rule. There is a widespread feeling that the Inquiry has gone on too long, has traversed too many apparently irrelevant paths and that some individuals who appear before it do not seem to have a proper chance to reply to allegations made by undesirable or other witnesses. The expense of the Inquiry has not gone unremarked. A clarification, or a limitation for valid and clear reasons, of the terms of reference would be acceptable to public opinion generally. To direct that further proceedings be held in camera may raise in some quarters allegations of a "cover-up" as well as claims from some sections of the media of unreasonable censorship notwithstanding that it is generally assumed that the decision of the Governor whether to publish only the findings of the Inquiry or all or part of its Report, is a separate issue which may not be decided until after the Governor has received and studied the Report. The imposition of a time limit, which could be satisfactorily explained in the light of the progress of the Inquiry so far, would be likely to be generally acceptable to most of the media and certainly to public opinion.

Publicity

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A public statement may be necessary after a reply has been given to the Commissioner. The terms of such a statement would be framed after consultation with him. Background briefings (probably selective) rather than a press conference, may prove necessary; but great care would be necessary to avoid discourtesy or contempt of the Commission, while getting across the reasons for and objectives of any decision.

SECRET