CODI 18-77
Miss Roberts
CCD
E 301A
Reference
RESTRICTED
HICK 022/4
нки
45
NO
つ
Pax 1614
HKK 022/26
46
See (47)
COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION: 32ND SEMINAR
1.
Your minute of 12 November asked for bids for places at this seminar. I should like to put in a very strong bid for Hong Kong to have a place.
2.
As you will know, Hong Kong receives a good deal of Parliamentary interest and people in Hong Kong follow closely, and put particular store by, what is said in Parliament concerning the territory. It is therefore important that understanding of the workings of Parliament should be as widespread as possible in Hong Kong. This is also of direct benefit because the Legislative Council in Hong Kong follows, as far as is practicable, the procedure s of Parliament.
3.
There is an additional point. There is a great deal of uncertainty at present in Hong Kong about the future of the territory, and the outcome of the talks that the Prime Minister and Chinese leaders agreed to enter into during her visit to Peking in September. We are anxious to do all we can to emphasise HMG's commitment to Hong Kong, and to maintain confidence in the territory, by avoiding anything that could be construed as HMG distancing itself from Hong Kong. It is possible that not selecting Hong Kong to be represented at the CPA seminar, after several years when they have attended, could be seen in this light.
4.
In the past, Hong Kong representatives have benefitted greatly from these seminars, which they have taken very seriously. For this reason, and for those given above, I should be grateful if a place could be offered to Hong Kong.
16 November 1982
R J F Hoare
Hong Kong and General Department WH 312
233 4439
RESTRICTED