HONG KONG'S BALANCE OF TRADE WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM
I recognise that Hong Kong enjoys a favourable balance of
visible trade with the United Kingdom, amounting in 1975 to
£150 million. Although no official figures are available, on
present information there are indications that the United Kingdom
is normally in surplus on the balance of payments as a whole
when invisibles are taken into account.
HONG KONG'S STERLING RESERVES
Hong Kong is under no constraint to hold its external
reserves in sterling.
The structure of the sterling balances
has changed and it is no longer one of the major official holders.
THE DEATH PENALTY
Her Majesty's Government is well aware of the resentment
that the death penalty issue causes in Hong Kong. The present
situation is brought about by the balance of opinion in this
House on the whole issue of capital punishment.