TNAG-1583-FCO40-2157-Extension-of-the-Child-Abduction-and-Custody-Act-1985-to-Hon-1986 — Page 13

GRS 110

CONFIDENTONAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 1892

OF 181035Z JUNE 86

MICK 230/1

KCE VIDA!

2 4 JUN 1986

INDEX CONFIDENTIAL

ZSM HBTLA

ken

Sinshei

9

Nesses this.

Cour D Whom

Whoeverly,

Lyl Advs.

replyzet.

PA CEL 23/6

YOUR TEL. NO. 1088: CHILD ABDUCTION AND CUSTODY ACT 1985

WE ARE RELUCTANT TO ADD TO THE LIST OF UK LEGISLATION WHICH IS

EXTENDED TO HONG KONG. THERE WOULD THEREFORE HAVE TO BE A VERY

STRONG NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE RECIPROCAL #INTERNATIONAL

ARRANGEMENTS COVERED BY THE ACT FOR US TO REQUEST EXTENSION TO

HONG KONG. SHINCE WE HAVE HEARD OF NO CASES WHERE SUCH ARRANGEMENTS

WOULD HAVE BEEN USEFUL, OUR PRELIMINARY VIEW IS THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS MAY NOT (NOT) BE NEEDED, OF WE (NEXT WORD UNDERLINED)

DIND WISH THE CHILD ABDUCTION AND CUSTODY ACT TO BE EXTENDED TO

HONG KONG (NEXT WORD UNDERLINED) AND IF WE WISHED FOR THE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE CONTINUED AFTER 1997, THE PRC WOULD HAVE TO BE

CONSULTED. THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE AT THE HRO SUB-GROUP IN OCTOBER.

HOWEVER, THE PRC NS NOT A SIGNATORY STATE TO THE HAGUE CONVENTION. WE CANNOT SEE IT BECOMING ONE IN ORDER TO ENABLE US TO CONTINUE

THESE ARRANGEMENTS UNLESS WE CAN PREVENT EVIDENCE TO PROVE OUR

NEED OF THEM.

=

2. WE ARE MAKING FURTHER ENQUIRIES TO CONFIRM OUR UNDERSTANDING

THAT SUCH CASES HAVE NOT ARISEN. WE WILL EXAMINE THE DESIRABILITY

OF EXTENDING THE ACT TO HONG KONG IN THE LIGHT OF OUR FINDINGS

AND WILL GIVE A SUBSTANTIVE REPLY IN DUE COURSE.

YOUDE

MINIMAL

HKD

CONS D

NTD

LEGAL ADVISERS

CONFIDENT I AL