Attached to
PS/Mr One1
cc:
low
Mr Adams
SAMD
RESTRICTED
Mm Donald And 47
Me
еся
put away
The
In the event
Thank
you.
Morion
Was
nor
reached.
SED
WIAD
SPD
Mr Ure
Parliamentary Clerk
HKGD
617
5/7/13
PRIVATE MEMBERS' MOTION:
DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
T
1.
I have just seen Mr Williams draft text for the wind-up speech by the Minister of State if Sir V Goodhew's debate on 5 July comes off in the House of Commons. I realise that there is a good chance that it will not take place.
2. However, I ought to enter a word of caution about some of the generalities which could, if taken out of context, be harmful to our interests in Hong Kong.
3. I see some risks in the formulation of the last paragraph. We would be unwise, I think, to suggest that HMG would not be prepared to contemplate any changes in the constitutional status of Hong Kong if they did not pay full regard to the 'principle of self-determination'. The fact is that Hong Kong is no longer on the agenda of the so-called 'Committee of Twenty Four' because in 1972 at Chinese insistence it was removed. It was the Soviet Union which had asked that its case be considered and in refusing this the Chinese pointed out that Hong Kong was an inalienable part of China.
4. I am copying this minute together with Mr Williams' minute to HKGD who may wish to add further comment. Hopefully there will be no need to make any public statements on the future of Hong Kong. If a specific question does arise it would clearly be best for the Minister of State simply to undertake to write to the Members concerned.
5 July 1982
HK
02511
RECEIVED IN REGIS MY MO.
-8 JUL 1982
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
сл
اليه
+
RESTRICTED
Actonald
A E Donald
40)