GRS 420
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 24090OZ FCO
TELNO 3936
OF 24051OZ NOVEMBER 86
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
Confidential
FOR LAYDEN, HKD, FROM GOVERNOR
MIPT: MY VISIT TO LONDON
1.
TEXT OF DRAFT STATEMENT IS AS FOLLOWS:
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WHILE IN LONDON, I HAD A SERIES OF USEFUL MEETINGS WITH
MINISTERS AND SENOR OFFICIALS ON A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS OF
CURRENT INTEREST. I SAW THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND MR. RENTON
AND REVIEWED WITH THEM THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG. I TOOK THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THEM UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
IN THE TERRITORY. THEY BOTH ASSURED ME ONCE AGAIN THAT THEY
ATTACH THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE TO REGULAR CONSULTATIONS OF THIS
NATURE.
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2. ALTHOUGH I WAS IN LONDON FOR ONLY THREE DAYS, WE WERE ABLE TO COVER A LOT OF GROUND. WE DISCUSSED A WIDE VARIETY OF SUBJECTS,
INCLUDING THE 1987 REVIEW, THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THE ANNUAL REPORT TO PARLIAMENT ON HONG KONG, THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT AND THE PROBLEMS OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES. ON THE LAST TWO SUBJECTS, I ALSO SAW MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS AT
THE HOME OFFICE AND MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.
3. ON THE 1987 REVIEW, I TOLD MINISTERS THAT THERE IS STILL A WIDE VARIETY OF VIEWS BEING EXPRESSED IN HONG KONG ON WHETHER, AND IF SO, WHEN AND TO WHAT EXTENT DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEY ARE FULLY AWARE THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE ADDRESSED IN THE 1987 REVIEW AND THAT IT WOULD THEREFORE BE PREMATURE TO DRAW ANY CONCLUSIONS NOW AS TO WHAT
CHANGES MIGHT BE MADE IN 1988.
4. WE AGREED THAT WE SHOULD MAKE A SLIGHT CHANGE THIS YEAR TO THE TIMING OF THE ANNUAL REPORT TO PARLIAMENT, SO THAT EACH REPORT COVERS A CALENDAR YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT WILL THEREFORE BE PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT EARLY IN 1987 AND WILL COVER THE YEAR
1986.
Confidential
15.