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I
"All very well". Some people in Hong Kong would say, "We will
work on the best assumption as you suggest, but where can we go and who will be responsible for us if we try to go there if things go wrong?" It is very important that the community of Hong Kong should stick together during the run up to 1997 and make a success of the future as it has of the past. I think that people are more likely to stay in Hong Kong and not leave, if they have some
assurance that they will up looked after if leave they must even if we think such a contingency too remote to consider at this stage. For them it is something that they feel must be considered at this
stage. I do not expect the Noble Lady, the Minister of State, to
say anything about this tonight, but I do ask her to note that
something about this from the British Government at the time the
Agreement is published could make an enormous difference to maint-
aining confidence, and far from inviting an exodus would go a long
way to prevent it.
In the interval between 1984 and 1997 a great deal will become
clearer to people in Hong Kong because the Chinese Government itself, and its actions in and about Hong Kong should provide the best
possible proof that current fears are groundless. Meanwhile I do
urge Hong Kong people and in particular, the public services, which are so vital to continuity, to wait and see how things develop, and
not be panicked by rumour or instant commentators into attitudes
or assessments which must be premature, and in all likelihood will
be proved baseless.
I am sure that the Secretary of State was right in foreseeing
a move to more representative government in Hong Kong. The local
talent in the public services is there in abundance. The machinery
and practice of an electoral system based on adult suffrage are there The power and influence of both can be increased in whatever way and
at whatever speed the Hong Kong Government think best. To steer Hong Kong through the transitional phase, a more apprently and obviously representative Government could well be a great help.
My Lords, Hong Kong is one of the most productive communities
and best situated harbours and pieces of real estate in the world.
It has a population second to none, very well able to run its own
/affairs....