From the Secretary of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
8 March 1988
Draw Tad.
Thank you for your letter of 20 February about your recent
visit to Hong Kong.
I have taken careful note of your own impressions of the feelings of some people in Hong Kong about the timetable
for direct elections there. On the whole, however, I am encouraged
by the general reaction in Hong Kong to the White Paper, which has been positive and welcoming. This has reinforced my own
feeling that the decisions in the White Paper are a balanced
and reasonable response to the views of Hong Kong people on
the issue.
We must take care to take nothing for granted, of course;
but it is my present impression that in steering a course
which aims to provide continuity and durability in Hong Kong's system of representative government, the White Paper should help to strengthen confidence in all sections of Hong Kong
society.
You asked about the immigration and employment prospects
of Hong Kong Chinese who may wish to come to work in this
country. There are various channels available:
The Rt Hon Edward Heath MBE MP
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