Mr Clift, HKGD
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Donald
Donal
нек оты
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
RESPONS
HONG KONG: HMG'
INDEX
Problem
1.
DESK OFFICER
Subject
PA
MS21.
36/m
BS / Mr. Blaker
FOR INTERNAL MATTERS
REGISTRY
Action Taken
Ahzi
An increasing number of Hong Kong pressure groups are coming
to London to lobby FCO Ministers about matters which are primarily
the responsibility of the Hong Kong Government. How should these
groups be handled?
Recommendation
2. I recommend that such groups should normally be seen at
departmental level and that the department writes to the Governor
on the lines of the attached draft. The departmental legal adviser
and News Department concur.
Background and Argument
3. Mr Blaker has recently asked for advice on the general question
of how far FCO Ministers should respond to enquiries on Hong Kong
Mr Clift When Mr
matters.
was in Hong Kong in November, the Governor raised
the problems created by pressure groups coming to London.
@4. AKPOI613 AKP Oi613 Cise
↓
A&B
ア
The question of Ministerial responsibility for replying to MPs'
letters and PQs on Hong Kong internal matters has been looked at
before (the department's submissions of 4 and 8 August 1980).
There
is no doubt that MPs' letters have to be answered by HMG, and PQS
Akk cids laso
can only not be answered on grounds of cost or security.
5. Visits by Hong Kong pressure groups to the UK is another matter
and they are on the increase. Their being seen in the Office may
cause the Hong Kong Government difficulties. They are apt to take
the line on return to Hong Kong that, having put a letter to a
Minister in London or had an interview there, action by the Hong Kong
CONFIDENTIAL
/Government
2