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As a Member of Parliament he was embarrassed and ashamed that the United Kingdom was still considered a colonial nation. Local Chinese in Hong Kong say there is no democracy or justice there and the Hong Kong Government recently even declined to set up an ombudsman, When they met on 24 February the Lord Privy Seal had explained how Ms Vertucci could petition the Secretary of State. But the petition had been rejected within 24 hours although Lord Carrington was, he believed, abroad at the time.
3.
Mr McTaggart said he had attended the meeting in the House of Commons with Ms Vertucci. He was particularly concerned about her treatment since she seemed to be the type of individual he met in his constituency. Pressure groups in this country have to be accommodated because they were often pursuing injustices. There was no apparent reason for Ms Vertucci being kicked out of Hong Kong and the withdrawal of her permit left a stigma hanging over her. The MPs therefore wished to know what the reasons were for her not being allowed to remain in Hong Kong.
4.
Lord Belstead said that he understood the reasons for the MPs' concern and did not want to give the impression that he was not concerned about the Early Day Motion. On 24 February the Lord Privy Seal had said that he could not add to what the Hong Kong Government had said since it was not Hong Kong Govern- ment policy to give reasons for immigration decision. He himself was in the same position. This was a domestic matter for the Hong Kong Government to deal with under their own immigration procedures which did not allow for appeals against decisions. Mr Parry had criticised the way the case had been dealt with. He could assure the MPs that it had been looked at very carefully.
5.
Mr Flannery said that the decision was most unsatisfactory. He would now have to look more closely at Hong Kong and its lack of democracy. MPs were responsible for Hong Kong and they were particularly concerned about this case. It could be that Ms Vertucci was completely innocent. He would therefore have to find out what was happening in Hong Kong since the treatment Ms Vertucci received must be happening to a wider group. He wanted to know a great deal about Hong Kong particularly its lack of democracy and justice. MPS had a right to know why Ms Vertucci had not been allowed to remain. Since they had not been told he would inform the press of the disgraceful state of affairs. He was glad he had come to the meeting. For a Minister to say he would give no reason to elected representatives was not good enough.
6.
Mr Parry said that if there was a valid reason for Ms Vertucci's treatment they would accept it but a stigma had been placed over her and she wanted to clear her name. There had been smears circulating in Hong Kong to the effect that she had been
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