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that their interests have
been taken
reasmably
acconal
into
For example we have resisted pressure from industry for letter
protection against substantial imports of Hong Kong cutlery
and knitweat; we have also opporad thors of our EEC partners who would
like to sex comprehens restrictions on Nos Kay Laxatlas.
we are trying to control them, or are ignoring their
interests. Many believe that we take advantage of
Hong Kong's success to give priority to British over
Hong Kong's interests. They also resent it if their
views are over-ridden by parliamentary considerations
in the UK.
3.
When the Prime Minister visits Hong Kong from
12-14 January he will be questioned about relations
with China, particularly the Chinese Government's
request for an official representative in Hong Kong.
This is being dealt with separately. Questions on
relations with Britain will focus on a number of
problems that have been under discussion for some time.
Separately none of these issues is vital. Together
they are important. On them Hong Kong base their
judgement of the UK's intentions towards the Colony,
this affects their confidence in their future. То
promote confidence we need to be able to satisfy
opinion in Hong Kong on these specific issues.
4.
and
We do not need to be defensive. Apart from
defence, which is a sensitive (though not a current)
issue in Hong Kong as a result of periodic arguments
over their defence contribution, we should claim credit
for all we have done to help Hong Kong. Where current
problems can be solved we should say so now. Even when
we cannot do everything we can usually do something.
Our aim should be to convince Hong Kong that our
interests run together;
them; and that where we do not, there are reasons for
this which they should respect.
5.
that we do what we can to help
The most important current issues are described
/separately
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separately in the Annex to this paper. A number of
departments have an interest in these questions, and
a Cabinet Committee of officials has been examining
them to try to resolve as many as possible before the
Prime Minister's visit. I invite my colleagues:
(a) to take note of the progress that has been
achieved;
(b) to consider
(i) how far the Prime Minister should
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
emphasise our undertaking to press for
changes in the Community's GSP (para. 5
of the Annex)
whether, if the Governor's decision on
the death penalty in the case of Lam Po
is that the law should take its course,
we can support him (para. 10 of the
Annex)
whether we should instruct officials to
examine further the possibility of
changes in the Fugitive Offenders Act to
abolish the Double Criminality Rule in
relation to Hong Kong (para. 18 of the
Annex)
whether we should make further special
efforts before the end of the year to
reach agreement on an SAS service to
Hong Kong (para. 20 of the Annex)
(v)
whether any further special efforts
should be made to reach agreement on a
Register of Shipping for Hong Kong "(para. 21 of Annex);
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(c) to instruct their officials to brief the
Prime Minister accordingly for his visit
to Hong Kong.