DSR 11
ised Sept 85)
DRAFT: minute/letter/teleletter/despatch/note
FROM:
Secretary of State
DEPARTMENT:
BUILDING:
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
TO:
Top Secret
Rt Hon David Howell MP
Secret
Confidential
Restricted
Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
House of Commons
LONDON
SWSWBLE AT:
CAVEAT
In Confidence
HONG KONG: Basic Law
TYPE: Draft/Final 1 +
Reference
MEZAVT
TEL. NO:
Your Reference
ROOM NO:
Copies to:
Thank you
for your letter of 18 July. I am sorry you
were not able to be present during the debate, but I
welcome your interest in these matters.
As I made clear to the House on 15 July, we are doing all
we can to defend Hong Kong's legitimate concerns and
interests.
In addition to our obligations to the people
of Hong Kong, we have the right to satisfy ourselves that
the Basic Law faithfully implements the principles
lembodied in the Joint Declaration. ALL this is firmly on
the record and well understood by the authorities in
Peking.
Enclosures flag(s)
I also explained to the House that we have been pursuing
extensive contacts with the Chinese authorities in which
the Basic Law has been discussed in great depth. I have
raised the matter with my Chinese opposite number.
We