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sympathy from MPs and others in this country. Mrs Elliott recently
wrote to the Prime Minister to say that she and her colleagues
intend to send a delegation to London in the coming months to dis-
cuss possible constitutional changes in Hong Kong.
6. In addition to being sure that any changes would be welcomed by
the people of Hong Kong, we also need to take account of the
possible Chinese reaction. In the absence of any popular pressure
for change, we have hitherto considered it prudent not to introduce
reforms that might create uncertainty about our future intentions,
at least until the problem of the New Territories leases (see Brief
No. HK3c) has been satisfactorily dealt with.
Hong Kong and General Department
September 1979
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