E.R.
J M LYON
IND
B4 Division
Covering CONFIDENTIAL
Lunar House (Extension 2832)
7 May 1986
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rect 21/5!
Hinn 800
84011
нии
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
- 4 JUN 1986
DES. OFFICER
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
A good summary.
REGISTRY Mr. His
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Crt 7/
Mr Fittall
NTY/86 1/387/9
744
сс
Mr Hudson
Mr Woodland
Mr Hyde
Mr Phillips
Mr Pakenham-Walsh
Mr Fries
Mr Mower
Mr Acton Mr Bickham
Mr
Hym (
Hu (FCO)
HONG KONG ORDER IN COUNCIL : REACTIONS TO GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE
The Home Secretary asked for a report on how the Government's decisions have
been received in Hong Kong, and any useful appreciative comments. I am submitting
the report now since we understand the Foreign Secretary may wish to refer to the
Hong Kong Order at Cabinet on 8 May.
2. The reactions of UMELCO, the Hong Kong Government, the media and the Council
of Hong Kong Indian Associations are reported in the attached telegrams and in
the Hong Kong Government's press summary. We have underlined the most significant
comments.
UMELCO
3. The Government's response has been generally welcomed by UMELCO. Telegram No.1242 (Annex A) reports a statement issued by UMELCO on 25 April setting out their response. Although they expressed their disappointment at the refusal
of the non-ethnic Chinese request, nevertheless, as reported in Telegram No.1241 (Annex B) they have decided against sending a delegation to the UK on the issue.
4.
The Government's press summary GIST (Annex C) includes a useful quotation from
Mr John Swaine, convenor of the ad hoc Legco committee on the Order: in what is
probably a reference to the statement about a future Government's response if the minorities were to come under pressure to leave the United Kingdom, Mr Swaine said
we had made a "strong moral commitment" on the minorities.
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