TNAG-1744-FCO40-2463-Visits-by-FCO-officials-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-by-Lor-1988 — Page 186

A,B

C

PTAAEP (2)

Background

CONFIDENTIAL

References:

A.

B.

C:

D:

E:

Letter from Mr Clifford Allison to Sir Peter Blaker of 1 March

1988

Letter from Mr Clifford Allison to Sir Peter Blaker of 14 April

1988

Letter from Lord Glenarthur to Sir Peter Blaker of 17 March 1988

Memorandum from Director of Immigration Hong Kong 14 April 1988

Letter from Lord Glenarthur to Sir Peter Blaker of 9 June 1988

1. The idea of establishing a British Representative Office in

Hong Kong, before 1997 was first raised last year by

Mr Clifford Allison, then chairman of "Conservatives Abroad" in Hong

Kong. Mr Allison has since raised it again this year in two letters

to Sir Peter Blaker. Lord Glenarthur replied to the first on 17

March in terms similar to those used last year, explaining the presentational, practical and political difficulties inherent in the

idea.

D

[L]

E

2.

We believe that British expatriates in Hong Kong are well

catered for and that Mr Allison's concerns are not well founded.

Hong Kong Immigration Department have provided a memorandum in response to Mr Allison's complaints which confirms this. It makes clear that the services they provide to British expatriates in Hong

Kong are just as extensive as those given in any overseas consular

posts. It also meets the two specific criticisms Mr Allison had in

his letter of 1 March: namely that it was difficult for expatriates

to register for voting in UK elections and to renew their passports.

Both criticisms are apparently unfounded. In a reply to Mr

Allison's second letter, sent on 23 May, Lord Glenarthur drew on

this memorandum to answer the criticisms that Mr Allison had raised

and to reassure him that Her Majesty's Government have in no way

been dismissive of his concern.

CONFIDENTIAL

Hong Kong Department

June 1988