PP HONG KONG
GRS 353
SECRET
FM FCO 121800 FEB 81
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
SECRET
HKK 340/1
RECEIVED IN REDSTRY NO. 51
16 FEB 1981
6707 -
1
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(13
DESK OFFICER INDEX
REGISTRY
t
G
PA
Açugo Taked
Pem 7+131
See √ +93
サル
کرا
TELEGRAM NUMBER 137 OF 12 FEBRUARY.
YOUR TELNO 94: PETITION FROM LOCAO MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICE
•
(37)
WE HAVE DELAYED OUR REPLY UNTIL WE COULD SAY THAT DISCUSSIONS
WERE IN PROGRESS WITH THE HOME OFFICE. WE HAVE STILL NOT
RECEIVED THE HOME OFFICE REPLY ON THIS AND TO AVOID FURTHER
DELAY YOU MAY WISH TO SPEAK ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:
(A) WHAT YOU SAY IS NOT A SUBSTANTIVE REPLY TO THE PETITION.
THIS WILL BE SENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
(B) LORD CARRINGTON HAS SEEN THE PETITION AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS
THE REASONS FOR IT. SIR S Y CHUNG AND MR CHEUNG EXPLAINED
THE PROBLEM TO HIM ON 2 FEBRUARY. (34A)
(C) LORD CARRINGTON SYMPATHISES OVER THE CONCERNS OF THE LOCAL
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS. HE HAS WRITTEN TO THE HOME
SECRETARY.
(D) THE HOME SECRETARY SAW THE TWO UNOFFICIALS ON 6 FEBRUARY.
MR WHITELAW UNDERTOOK TO CONSIDER THE PROBLEM. IT IS
2.
HOWEVER TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT FORM A SOLUTION MIGHT TAKE.
I HOPE THAT THE ABOVE AND OTHER REPORTS YOU HAVE HAD WILL
ENABLE YOU TO CALM THE PETITIONERS FOR THE PRESENT.
3. THERE IS ONE LINE WHICH YOU MAY WISH TO USE, DEPENDING ON
HOW THE DISCUSSION DEVELOPS. SO FAR AS THE NATIONALITY BILL IS
CONCERNED THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS POINT, AND OTHER
HONG KONG PROBLEMS, TO BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN COMMITTEE.
YOU WILL BE IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH LONDON DURING THIS PROCESS TO
ENSURE THAT THE CASE IS PROPERLY PUT.
4. WHILE LORD SHEPHERD DID STATE IN 1967 THAT QUOTE THE BRITISH
GOVERNMENT WOULD HONOUR THE CROWN'S OBLIGATION TO ALL HONG KONG
CIVIL SERVANTS AND PENSIONERS WITHOUT DISTINCTION UNQUOTE, OUR
RECORDS SHOW THAT HE WAS ANSWERING A QUESTION ABOUT PENSIONS AND
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