DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL
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SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE MANDARIN HOTEL ON
14 FEBRUARY 1972
haring
I am sorry that I have
to Hong Kong Jasity
earlier visit Now that I
not been able to pay you an
agam
(and to see this splendid city father fat teg let me have managed to get here, and I am
here,
delighted to be with you. I should like to begin by saying
something about how Hong Kong's affairs are viewed in the
United Kingdom and more particularly about my own relationship
with those affairs.
There are
2. In Britain Hong Kong is now very much on the map, A
number of Government departments, in addition to the Foreign
which hawt a spearfi and Commonwealth Office, take much interest in what is going
on here. But I have a special relationship with you since ✦ Frangi * Cute Secretary have the functione previously held by the Sofs for the Colonies and
am the Minister directly responsible for Hong Kong. and It is to
me that your Governor reports when an issue that affects your
interests needs to be brought to the attention of the British
and It wo✓ who present you case to Miisture withe whirety, Government. And I can give you a personal assurance that
whenever that happens those interests are given most close
and sympathetic consideration.
3. I am,
of course, also answerable to Parliament on your
account. There is a group of Members of Parliament who are
constantly active on your behalf and I, and my colleagues, have
to answer a steady stream of letters and questions about Hong
Kong. These are mostly about social, and industrial problems,
but also about the growth of your industry and the competition
which it offers. I am glad to say that the tendency of these
/questions
CONFIDENTIAL