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This brings me to the question of the acceptability
of an agreement to the people of Hong Kong.
Throughout
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our negotiations with the Chinese Government, our
consultation with the people of Hong Kong has been and
it remains a continuous process. It has taken many forms
our close contact with the Executive Council, Ministerial
visits to the territory, the reception of delegations to
London and attention to the views and opinions which reach
the Hong Kong Government through many channels. The views
expressed by the Hong Kong people will continue to be taken
fully into account in our approach to the negotiations. This
process of consultation has been intensified since my visit
to the territory.
We shall continue to use and to develop
methods of carrying it forward which are appropriate to each
stage of the negotiations. In due course the Hong Kong people
will have a full opportunity to express their views on the
text of a draft agreement.
There has been some suggestion that a referendum might
have a part to play. On that, I have to say that there are
very real drawbacks. Whatever method is adopted, when the
time comes for the House to debate the draft agreement, the
people of Hong Kong will have had a full opportunity to make
their views known.