§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what decisions were made regarding democratic and social reforms and a more enlightened labour policy on the occasion of the visit to Hong Kong of the Minister of State of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD SHEPHERD)My Lords, there is a constant exchange of views between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Hong Kong, and my recent visit was part of that contact. The over-whelming priority is to maintain the momentum of development in the fields of housing, the provision of medical facilities, water supplies and roads, primary and secondary education and university development. Increased attention is being given to technical education, em- 2 ployment opportunities and the provision of amenities for leisure. The Government have also done a great deal to reach down to the people and their problems. The City District Officer scheme is an impressive example of this. I was greatly impressed with the calibre of the officers, most of whom are Chinese, who are working the scheme.
There are many Boards and Advisory Councils in existence in Hong Kong drawn from the general public which assist in policy considerations and a review of their scope and terms of reference is now being undertaken. Also several proposals for possible changes in the fields to which my noble friend has referred are at present being considered by the Government of Hong Kong. These I discussed in detail with the Governor, members of both Executive and Legislative Councils, urban councils and other bodies. I am confident that once the details have been thoroughly worked out proposals will be announced.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while welcoming my noble friend's return, may I ask whether he is aware that many of us who have had reports from Hong Kong appreciate what he did in pressing for these reforms? May I ask him about two points which he did not mention? The first is the very interesting suggestion that an Ombudsman might be appointed for consultation with the under-privileged Chinese. Secondly, could my noble friend confirm that since his return the 12 Emergency Regulations which allowed for detention without trial for one year have been withdrawn?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I announced on Thursday last, in reply to a Question from my noble friend Lord Sorensen, that 12 of the remaining 18 Emergency Regulations, including the one my noble friend specifically mentioned, have now been withdrawn. In regard to the Ombudsman, this is a matter to which I and the Governor have given very careful attention. We both regard the City District Officer scheme as perhaps the first step in such a system, but we are giving further thought as to how the questions, doubts and complaints that may exist among the general public may be more carefully and fully examined.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords might I ask my noble friend why we constantly use the word "Ombudsman" when we have a very good British equivalent?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I used the word "Ombudsman" only because my noble friend used it.