SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
AUG. 241 73
VED IN
No.51
1511173
HKkJ/548/2
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Pendry's visit should help
Hongkong
Most community leaders believe that the month long visit of the Labour Member of Parliament, Mr Tom Pendry. will prove beneficial to Hongkong.
Mr Pendry left Hongkong yesterday and will make a report on his visit to the Foreign Secretary, Sir Alec Douglas Home.
"The British Government is now showing concern for the affairs of Hongkong,” said the Urban Councillor, Mr Peter C. K. Chan, "and the presentation of Mr Pendry's report will draw more attention to Hongkong' and its needs.*
"Mr Pendry's report will at least help the British Government to understand Hongkong better, because the report serves as another individual source of information, besides the one side confidential papers ¦ compiled by the Hongkong Government.” he pointed
out.
Mr Chan stressed that Mr Pendry's understanding of Hongkong might not be an entire picture of the local scene, but he at least added one more side to the story.
**So when the British Government is considering reform or making any policy decision on Hongkong, there will be a wider scope for discussion," he added.
However, the president of the Aplichau Kaifong Welfare Association, Mr Cheng Man- wah, said that Mr Pendry might
have got a better picture of Hongkong if he had spent some time in contacting the kaifong leaders and heads of social organisations.
"He would have had # deeper understanding of the general public's needs,” he said.
Another kaifong leader. Mr To Sung tak, of the Happy Valley and Causeway Bay District Kaifong Welfare Association, said this sort of visit was good for Hongkong.
"People in Britain can obtam a better iden of the needs, the thoughts and the life of the Chinese here." he remarked.
"When reforms are underway, the local situation will not be ignored and hopefully the aspirations of Hongkong people will be considered," he said.
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