§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it his policy that statements taken by Hong Kong immigration officers from boat people are read back to or read by the appellant and that the appellant is allowed to amend the statements and sign them.
§ Mr. MaudeAny statements taken by Hong Kong immigration officers which require clarification are read back to the interviewees to ensure accuracy. The UNHCR and its designated agency have access to the questionnaire completed for all boat people at the start of the screening procedure so that they can assist the asylum seeker to make any further representations at the review stage.
§ Mr. Tony MarlowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the further difficult decisions concerning Hong Kong referred to in his statement of 20 December, column 363.
§ Mr. MaudeAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear in his statement on 20 December, our continuing responsibility for Hong Kong over the next eight years will involve us in a variety of complex and difficult decisions. Those decisions span the whole range of Hong Kong issues related to the effective administration of the territory and the implementation of the joint declaration. One such decision involves steps to be taken to develop democracy further in Hong Kong.