§ 21. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to reach a conclusion on the matter of appointing an Ombudsman for Hong Kong.
§ Mr. FoleyThe recently devised City District Officer team, which is working most satisfactorily, is providing the general public in Hong Kong with an opportunity of making known to the authorities their views on the conduct of public affairs. Other arrangements also exist. Consideration is, however, being given in the Colony to the question of how complaints that may exist among the public may be more carefully and fully examined.
§ Mr. RankinI thank my hon. Friend for that Answer. Would he not go the whole hog and agree that if an Ombudsman can find a useful function in Britain he could find a more useful function to perform in a part of the Commonwealth where there is no democracy whatsoever?
§ Mr. FoleyI am not sure that one can equate the two in this context. In Hong Kong, there is not an elected element in the legislature and this presents certain difficulties in the creation of an office of Ombudsman or a similar office.
§ Mr. GoodhewIs my hon. Friend aware that the Government in Hong Kong do a very good job, despite the number of Communists who can infiltrate that area from Communist China? Is he not also aware that the vast majority of the Hong Kong Chinese support the Government wholeheartedly?
§ Mr. FoleyI am aware that the Government of Hong Kong does a very good job and, equally, that there are some problems unresolved.
§ Mr. RichardIs my hon. Friend not aware that it is wrong to equate the City 1226 District Officers scheme and an Ombudsman? The main difference is that an Ombudsman has certain, executive functions and can recommend certain courses of action. Whereas the City District Officers scheme—desirable and welcome though it is—is no more than an opportunity for people to complain to the Government?
§ Mr. FoleyYes, but I draw my hon. Friend's attention to the fact that, in the absence of elected representatives, there is a problem of sifting complaints. This is why, in the meantime, what has been devised is, to my mind, the best that could be done.
§ 22. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons are now detained in Hong Kong under emergency provisions; and for what reason.
§ Mr. RankinNone? Would my hon. Friend make some inquiry into the authenticity of that Answer? Is he aware that the number which I am given is not "none" but thousands? Would he look into that matter?
§ Mr. FoleyI want to make it absolutely clear to my hon. Friend that I do not stand up at this Box and give an Answer which I have not verified. The Answer is "None, Sir," in terms of persons who are now detained under emergency provisions.
§ Mr. DribergWhen my hon. Friend uses the words "detained" and "detention", is he referring only to persons detained without trial? Is there not still in prison a large number of persons who were tried on charges arising out of the emergency?