TNAG-1205-FCO40-1507-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 39

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RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN LORD BELSTEAD, MINISTER OF STATE AND

MR MARTIN FLANNERY MP, MR ROBERT PARRY MP AND MR BOB MCTAGGART MP

AT 10 AM ON 28 APRIL IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Lord Belstead

Mr MA Arthur

Mr P J Williamson

Present:

Mr Martin Flannery MP

Mr Robert Parry MP

Mr Bob McTaggart

see (166)

151

1.

After Lord Belstead had welcomed the visitors, Mr Flannery said that the delegation had come to talk about the case of Ms Christine Vertucci. They felt that if an injustice had been done someone should raise it. When Ms Vertucci had gone to the House of Commons she had informed those MPs present that she had been told on 22 January that her application to the Immigration Depart- ment for renewal of her permission to stay and work in Hong Kong would not be granted and that she should leave within 14 days. She had been very surprised by this decision since she had already had seven extensions of her permission and she had committed no offences in Hong Kong. Mr Flannery said that the sort of work she had been doing in Hong Kong was very similar to that done by MPs and pressure groups in this country. Pressure groups were partic- ularly necessary in Hong Kong since there was no democracy there. Ms Vertucci had been publicly supported by many social and religious groups both in Hong Kong and elsewhere. The MPs were therefore at a loss to understand what had happened to make the Hong Kong Government kick her out.

2.

Mr Parry

said that Lord Belstead was the fourth Minister responsible for Hong Kong whom he had seen on Hong Kong matters. No doubt Lord Belstead was aware that there was wide concern among MPs about this case and that 143 of them, not only from the Labour Party but also Social Democrats and Nationalists, had signed an Early Day Motion about the case that he had initiated. In addition, two former Labour Minisers, Mr Tony Benn and Mrs Shirley Williams had written to Lord Carrington about the case. Mr Parry said that he had visited Hong Kong on a number of occasions and had worked with many social and religious organisations there. Ms Vertucci was a lawyer, an American, and a social worker. The Lord Privy Seal had confirmed that she had not committed any offence in Hong Kong. He was, therefore, very concerned that others who might upset the Hong Kong Government, particularly expatriate social workers, priests and nuns might be dealt with in the same way.

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