From The Minister of State
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 12 FEB 1981
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6 February 1981
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Draw Dennis
Thank you for your letter of 26 January to Peter Blaker. I am replying in his absence overseas.
We have now had an opportunity to look into this matter. It is clearly primarily a matter for the Hong Kong Government.
The Standing Committee on Pressure Groups (SCOPG) is an interdepartmental Committee set up three years ago to keep in touch with the views of a wide range of people in Hong Kong and, in particular, groups who have points to make about Hong Kong Government policies. There is nothing sinister in this. It is the Committee's job to see that the views of these people are fully and properly understood. Confidential discussion between appropriate Government Departments is a normal part of this process.
The Committee's role is response and advisory and it has no executive function. It is not, as you suggest, the practice of the Hong Kong Government to 'infiltrate' these groups.
I am returning the documents enclosed with your letter of 26 January.
Dennis Canavan Esq MP House of Commons
سیره
Manolas
Nicholas Ridley MP
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