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Given Sir P Cradock's strong opposition to this we have said that we would not favour this, although we would keep open the possibility of participation by
at a later stage. The
Governor has asked us to reconsider (Hong Kong telno 526). We shall submit.
Briefing of the Opposition
10.
The Private Secretary has written to Number 10 asking for agreement that Opposition leaders be given a fairly full briefing, covering the question of sovereignty in the same way as that taken with Conservative backbenchers. We await Number 10's views. Meanwhile, Mr Roland Moyle has returned from a visit to China and Hong Kong. We are trying to get hold of him to find out how things went.
House of Commons Private Members Motion: 15 April
11.
There was a debate on 15 April on a motion by Mr Ivor Stanbrook on the Dependent Territories. Mr Onslow replied. On Hong Kong most of the interventions were helpful. The Minister was able to underline that we would not accept any move which implied a lesser degree of commitment to Hong Kong than to the other Dependent Territories. This was mainly in response to a suggestion by Mr Stanbrook that the other Dependencies should be brought into closer association with the United Kingdom.
19 April 1983
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R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
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