CONFIDENTIAL
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
5 December 1983
Jear John,
MK15090/16
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Hong Kong: Mr Robert Adley MP
Mr Adley visited Hong Kong last week. As you know, he takes a close interest in the subject both in his capacity as Chairman of the UK/China Parliamentary Group and personally. He has tended to be critical of the Hong Kong Government and of the Unofficials there in taking an unrealistic view of the negotiations with China.
Mr Adley called on Sir Geoffrey Howe on 30 November. He particularly asked that his remarks should be passed to the Prime Minister. I enclose a copy of the record of the discussion. As you see, his main theme was the need for more democracy in Hong Kong and the unrepresentative nature of UMELCO views on the future.
As you know, Mr Adley is very much in the public eye in Hong Kong because of his outspoken views. His visit attracted intense press interest which he appears to have interpreted partly as resulting from the hostility of the Hong Kong Government. He would not accept his criticism of the Governor as being out of touch with opinion beyond UMELCO. Sir E Youde has indeed reported on this very point. But we think that to a great extent Mr Adley has misinterpreted UMELCO's anxiety about Chinese assurances on the future as an unrealistic desire to stick to sovereignty at all costs.
A J Coles Esq
10 Downing Street
You ever,
(P F Ricketts) Private Secretary
Jeter Ricketts
CONFIDENTIAL
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