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22 June 1967 speaking for the Government in a House of Lords debate on the disturbances in Hong Kong, Lord Beswick asserted :
"this fascinating and dynamic Colony is our undoubted responsibility" and "it is our intention to maintain our position and our authority in Hong Kong".
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6 November 1974, in a written answer, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Miss Joan Lestor said that HMG had "no intention of abandon- ing Hong Kong".
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- 1 April 1976 Minister of State, Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that "HMG will
continue to administer the territory [of Hong Kong] in the interests of those who live there
On 19 December 1972 the British Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr Crowe (now Sir Colin Crowe) wrote to the Secretary-General of the UN declaring that the General Assembly resolution which inter alia terminated the requirement for reports on Hong Kong as a non-self-governing territory under Article 73e of the Charter, "in no way affects the legal status of Hong Kong". Sir Colin added that differing views expressed by other Governments were unacceptable to the UK.
18 February 1979
0.
P. Swell.
P I Webb
Far Eastern Section Research Department
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