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Specific questions on the content of the Basic Law related to: the independence of the judiciary, the powers of the Chief Executive and the extent to which the interests of the Hong Kong business community were reflected in the draft.
(b) Representative Government. Although Lord Glenarthur dealt with this subject fully in his introductory remarks, the MPS showed little interest in it. Mr Walden asked (in a helpful vein) how we should respond to the point that the draft Basic Law contained provisions for a larger number of directly elected seats than was provided for in the White Paper.
(c) Vietnamese Refugees. Mr Ashley called on HMG to intensify its resettlement efforts as an example to other resettlement countries.
(d) Emigration. A number of MPs expressed concern.
Sir P Blaker pointed out that the key factor in increased emigration trends was that countries such as Canada and Australia were deliberately facilitating the immigration of qualified people from Hong Kong. Mr Walden suggested that the UK (for understaandable reasons) might be missing an opportunity to attract talent from Hong Kong to this country.
(e) UK Commercial Representation in Hong Kong. Mr Goodlad and others asked whether HMG's trade promotion effort in Hong Kong was as strong as it should be.
It was suggested that Britain was under- represented commercially. Mr Walden observed ironically that it might be the case that Britain would do better in Hong Kong commercially when we were no longer running it.
Lord Glenarthur was grateful to Mr McLaren, to you and Mr Paul, and to Mr Bacon for your help.
3.
David
29 April 1988
David Reddaway
PS/Lord Glenarthur
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