CONFIDENTIAL
3. The assurance we propose to offer (set out in the last sentence of Annex C to Douglas Hurd's minute), namely that any British nationals who came under pressure to leave Hong Kong could expect the government of the day to give their case for admission to the United Kingdom sympathetic consideration, will also be crucial presentationally. That assurance must be made clear right from the outset, including in our initial Parliamentary announcement. We clearly cannot go further than is proposed in seeking to bind future governments, but exactly what we say on this point, in particular when we come to the Parliamentary debates on the Order, must sound as
forthcoming as possible. Such words of comfort as we can offer may help in reducing the level of disappointment felt in Hong Kong among the ethnic minorities. My officials are in touch with Home Office officials about a suitable
form of words for use in Parliament.
4. Tim Renton, as a member of OD(K) in his own right, seen this correspondence and concurs.
has
5.
I am copying this minute to members of OD(K), to the Chief Whips in both Houses, and to Sir Robert Armstrong.
仁
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
GEOFFREY HOWE
21 April 1986
CONFIDENTIAL