PERSONAL AND IN CONFIDENCE
From The Minister of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4
Mick out padon SW1A 2AH
@MPANIES A 15 March 1982
Rt Hon Douglas Hurd CBE MP
No
1750
16/31 Pins 16/3
2
Dear Rogor
Humphrey Atkins is overseas at the moment, so I am writing on his behalf to thank you for your letter of 4 March.
23A
It was thoughtful of you to draw our attention to the. hopes over Hong Kong which are being aroused by the Prime Minister's visit to China. Such expectations are natural but if they are pitched too high there is clearly a risk of subsequent dis- illusionment and even of damage to confidence in Hong Kong. Obviously the opportunity must be taken of the Prime Minister's visit to discuss the Hong Kong issue, but it may well be over- optimistic to expect anything approaching a settlement by then.
As for the suggestion that this Government is not interested in Hong Kong or its future, I agree that we must kill the idea. We are fully and willingly committed to our obligations to Hong Kong. The Government has great admiration for the Territory's achievements.
I know you will take any opportunity you can to put the record straight. You will, I am sure, appreciate the need to avoid going into any detail on the way Hong Kong will be handled during the Prime Minister's visit. It is very important to keep her options open.
Roger Sim 's Esq JP MP House of Commons
London
SW1A OAA
Zoner,
двуш
PERSONAL AND IN CONFIDENCE