CONFIDENTIAL
The Hon. Sir David Ford, KBE, LVO, JP
Chief Secretary
Government Secretariat
Lower Albert Road
Hong Kong
21 June 1991
I heard an interesting story yesterday about the PLA at the London School of Economics (LSE). The source is secondhand and not known to us. So the story should be treated with some caution.
Apparently, the PLA have placed one of their majors at the LSE to research the application of the law in Hong Kong to the British Garrison. The PLA wishes to know, for example, what happens if a British soldier commits a crime in, say, a Wanchai bar. Is he handed over to the civilian authorities or dealt with by the Army? If he is to be punished, is he sent back to a military prison in the United Kingdom or kept in Hong Kong, or what?
I cannot, of course, confirm the story, but I imagine it contains at least an element of truth. An interesting insight, I would have thought, into the thoroughness with which the PLA are researching their future role in Hong Kong and its attendant problems.
(John Yaxley) COMMISSIONER
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