§ 13. Mr. Thorntonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies since what date Colonial Regulations have been freely available for inspection at the Colonial Secretariat in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. J. AmeryI will find out the date and inform the hon. Member.
§ Mr. ThorntonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend informed the House last week that these Regulations are freely available? However, I have a copy of a letter from the Hong Kong Colonial Secretary dated 10th December, in reply to an inquiry by an Australian accountant resident in Hong Kong, which states:
I am directed to refer to your letter of 8th December"— —
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman could keep in order by summarising the effect of the letter.
§ Mr. ThorntonThis reply clearly indicated that copies of the Regulations were not available for public inspection. In view of that, will the hon. Gentleman look into the matter? I will send him a copy of the correspondence. If he finds that what I have said is right, will he ensure that this House receives accurate information and not information which misrepresents the position?
§ Mr. AmeryI will certainly study carefully any correspondence which the hon. Gentleman likes to send me.