5&A
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BRIEF
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RALIAVO IN ANGINITY NO. $1
- 7 NOV 1979
Mr Peter Blaker, Minister of State at the Foreign Office
Prepared for press conference at 4.30pm on Tu
25th September, 1979
Tupe gay Nn
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Part One
Local Affairs and Visiting MPs
(Possible questions and answers)
1) Three Members of the opposition Labour Party in the
British Parliament, Mr Robert Parry, Mr Dennis Canavan and Mr Harry Cowans, have recently visited Hong Kong under private arrangements. They have made public statements on a number of issues affecting Hong Kong. Are they in a position to influence the Hong Kong Government in making changes to policies relating to our
internal affairs and local administration?
A.
As you all know, Hong Kong is a British Colony
and the British Government has overall
responsibility for its affairs.
Constitutionally,
ministers in the United Kingdom are responsible
for Hong Kong and they have to answer for Hong
Kong policies in Parliament and to the country
at large. The British Government is kept fully
informed of the policies and actions of the
Hong Kong Government. There is close liaison
between the two Governments and consultations
the
are held on a regular basis. The policies and
administration of internal affairs of Hong
Kong are largely matters for the Hong Kong
Government which acts with the advice and
consent of the Legislative and Executive
Councils and guidance of a whole host of advisory
bodies which can relate these policies to the
local needs and local aspirations. Such policies
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