TNAG-1203-FCO40-1505-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 112

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Excellency". An OAG is not referred to as "HE" in minutes or correspondence within the United Kingdom. He should be referred to as "The Governor" or "Sir John Smith" as the case may be.

An Administrator is styled "His Honour" in the Territory where he serves.

1.4.2

1.4.3

Colonial Judges and Law Officers when in their territories, are addressed as follows:

1.4.4

1.4.5

1.4.6

Any Judge or Law Officer if a Knight: "The Honourable Sir John Smith"

Any Judge if not Knighted: "The Honourable Mr Justice J Smith"

Alternatively for a Chief Justice: "The Honourable the Chief Justice" (This is preferable for a Chief Justice who is not Knighted)

Any Law Officer unless Knighted but only as a member of Legislative or Executive Councils: "The Honourable J Smith"

When a Judge or Attorney-General is on leave out of his territory, the prefix "The Honourable” is not used. A Colonial Judge who is not a knight is not addressed as "Mr Justice Smith" when he is out of his territory.

A person who has been granted the rank of Queen's Counsel in his Dependency should be addressed as "QC" when he is outside his territory.

The style for members of Executive and Legislative Councils is "The Honourable (Sir)

." but it is only used in the Territory.

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1.5.1

1.5.2

1.5.3

ENQUIRIES

If the enquiry is by letter, the acknowledgment should include a phrase such as "The reply to your letter involves some enquiries from the OAG/the Territory] and a further reply will be sent as soon as possible". With telephone enquiries the officer should say that he will write or telephone again as soon as possible; if it is immediately clear that reference to the [OAG/Territory] is required he SHOULD say so. The enquirer may always be invited to commit his enquiry to writing, especially if it is complicated.

It is normally necessary to refer the enquiry to the OAG and the enquirer should be told at once that this is being done. In some cases eg if the enquiry is about immigration facilities to the Territory, the enquirer may be referred directly to the OAG; in others, if the DT has an office in London, the enquirer may be referred to that office.

After the enquirer has been referred to the OAG or the London Office no more may be heard of the matter in the FCO. But it may be necessary to know the reply given. If so, the OAG or the London office should be informed of the enquiry and asked to provide a copy of the reply.

October 1978

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