the Government to admit the Falkland Islanders to this
country were an equally appropriate way of responding
to the special circumstances of their particular
situation.
5.
Having made the Government's views plain he went
on to sav that he would not ask the House to resist
the Bill and offered Government assistance if it was giver
a second reading.
COMPARISON WITH HONG KONG AND OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIE
6.
During the course of the second reading debate
reference was also made to other dependent territories.
Lor Macklehose said "I do not think it would be in the
interest of Hong Kong or of any other dependent
territory to appear to stand in the wav of a benefit to
the Falkland Islands in which the emotions and policies
of the United Kingdom are so deeply involved at this
time. Moreover I do not think that Hong Kong people
themselves would wish to carry their resentment (to the
1981 Act) to the extent of opposing doing something
for the Falkland Islanders". Lord Gridley said "So far
as I am concerned, they (ie the Falkland Islanders) have
greater links with Britain than any other colony or
former colony which we once possessed and which has now
become an independent nation. I therefore feel that
what we desire and what it is desired to achieve in this
Bill is more than justified". In his closing speech
Lord Elton said "Together with the noble Lord (ie Lord
Macklehose) I believe that the people of Hong Kong will
realise that their situation is not similar to that
of the Falkland Islanders, and will not wish to deny the
latter the benefits proposed under this Bill. I
Welcome the Noble Lord's view that the Bill should be
considered on its merits, without regard to Hong Kong
or the other dependent territories, since the situation
of the Falkland Islands is, indeed, unique".