TNAG-2366-FCO40-3439-Transfer-of-UK-related-consular-records-from-Hong-Kong-to-th-1991 — Page 4

Adrian Stephen

MYD

CODE 18-77

Mr Harrington, NTCD

Mr Daly, MVD

Mr Midgley, Consular Dept

Reference..

Separate Copies

TRANSFER OF UK RELATED RECORDS FROM HONG KONG

1.

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MVD) (nn Stephens) that I want a reply.

Please see the attached self explanatory letter from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Although addressed to Consular Dept, we have agreed to take over the coordinating role for this particular exercise.

2. The letter sets out fully the problem to be faced during the run-up to 1997, with the very large number of records held in Hong Kong on our behalf. These will all need to be either transferred or destroyed by 1997. As I see it the various records will have to be dealt with in one of the following ways:

(i) transfer to UK (either FCO or Home Office)

(ii) transfer to the new British Consulate General in Hong Kong when it opens (expected April 1996)

(iii) destroy (on our authority).

3. In paragraph 8 of the letter, Mrs Tong sets out the Hong Kong Government's proposals for these records and seeks our views. I should be grateful for any comments you have on the suggestions, my initial view is that Hong Kong are (i) carrying far too many old records which can be destroyed now, but that (ii) a lot of the items in para 2 will need to be retained for the statutory period. Most cannot (or should not) be passed to the future Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government when sovereingty reverts to China in 1997.

4. I should be grateful for your considered views and in particular whether we can go along with the proposals at paragraph 8. I have marked the various sections on which I should be grateful for your departmental ruling on disposal of the records.

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Hong Kong Department

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270 2656

13 November 1991

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