&
RESTRICTED
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
Telephone 01- 233 4475
P Goulder Esq
B3 Division
Room 808
Home Office
Lunar House CROYDON
Your reference
Our reference
ple
НКК 040/13
Date
22 September 1983
Sean Patrick,
HONG KONG : LETTER FROM SIR WILLIAM CLARK MP
1. Thank you for sending me a copy of Sir William's letter of 8 September to the Home Secretary, and the draft of your proposed reply.
2. I suggest that the final paragraph of the reply (beginning "Let me emphasize" etc) be replaced by the following:
"You will know that Sino-British talks are taking place through diplomatic channels in Peking, with the common aim of maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity. The British Government aim to seek a settlement acceptable to Britain, China and the people of Hong Kong, whose views are being taken fully into account."
3. You
can use this passage, as it stands, to reply to other letters, essentially about immigration matters but which seek also a simple factual statement about the aims of the Sino- British talks on Hong Kong. If any letter requires additional comment on this subject, please ensure that it is sent to us. We shall be happy to draft an appropriate contribution.
4.
•
May I suggest that the word sentence of para 3 of
your
"will" be deleted from the 4th reply to Sir William Clark?
RESTRICTED
J S C Priest (Mrs) Hong Kong Department
MKK040/13
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
22 SEP 1983
DESS OFFICER
на
1
REGISTRY
Action Taken
CH28/9
21