CONFIDENTIAL

Aki ozolz

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 2 5 FER 1981

PS/Lord Trefgarne

DESK OFF

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

/ction Taken

HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE: HONG KONG : 24 FEBRUARY HONG KONG : 24 FEBRUARY

1.

Sir E Youde has minute of 20 February

a) Paragraph 2:

1

No

seen the draft speech attached to my

He has the following comments:

The last sentence should end at economic and social base'.

He thinks the final phrase might be provocative to the Chinese Government.

b) Paragraph 3, page 2: He suggests omitting the

sentence 'Firstly.

.will continue',

the same reason.

for

See

c) Paragraph 3: He is unhappy about the next

sentence 'Secondly........early settlement' He believes that to make any forecasts, even negative ones, about a possible settlement with the Chinese would be go give a hostage to fortune. He thinks this sentence should be omitted and if it is necessary to counter reference to the 'uncertainty' about the future, this should be done by reiteration of the Chinese general assurances to the Governor.

23 February 1981

Бир

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

сс

PS/Mr Blaker Sir E Youde

Mr Donald

CONFIDENTIAL

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