5/7/15
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Ma Clift
PS/Mr Onslow
Thank
HKG 025/1
RECEIVED IN RACAY NO. 57
- 8 JUL 1982
OFFICES
PA
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you.
Staley 6/7
DEX
PRIVATE MEMBERS MOTION: DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
ikon
AF/2
1. I have just received a copy of Mr Williams' minute of 2 July 39 submitting a draft text for the Minister of State's wind-up speech in reply to Sir V Goodhew's motion on 5 July. In view of the special circumstances in Hong Kong's case I should like to propose the following amendments to the draft text, which I have cleared with UN Department:
2.
Final Sentence of Paragraph 1
To read: 'Our regular reports to the UN, which we are obliged to make under Article 73(e) of the Charter, high- light the fact that wherever possible we are trying to develop democratic institutions so that the inhabitants of these territories have regular occasion to express their views. '
Last Paragraph
From HMG' re-word:
.... HMG would agree to any changes in the constitutional status of such territories without appropriate regard to the principle of self-determination which is the basis of our general approach to this question.'
Hong Kong, unlike other Dependent Territories, has an appointed and not a freely elected legislature, nor, in the special circum- stances of Hong Kong could the inhabitants of the Territory enjoy full self-determination (eg by referendum) although Ministers have made clear that their wishes will be taken into account in any arrangement for the future. China has since 1972 opposed discussion of Hong Kong in the Committee of 24 and, while making our position on the Territory's constitutional status clear, we have tacitly accepted that it is in a different position from our other territories.
5 July 1982
Вит
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
сс
Mr Adams
Mr Donald
Mr Ure
SAMD
SED
WIAD
SPD
FED
Mr Williams, UND Parliamentary Clerk
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