Opportunity to set the record straight.
he Prime Minister may wish to invite the Governor
to give an account of the general situation in Hong Kong;
the state of opinion there; and the priorities for his
administration.
As the background paper makes clear, a very great
deal of work is being done to make sure that the Joint
Declaration sticks, so that Hong Kong can enjoy a stable
and prosperous future. Sir David Wilson has a key role
to play in this. The Prime Minister may wish to ask him
about the progress that is being made over the drafting
of the Basic Law and the development of representative
government in the territory.
The most difficult problem facing the Governor has
undoubtedly been that of Vietnamese boat people in Hong
Kong. Sir David Wilson will wish to describe what the
Hong Kong authorities are doing to contain the problem.
He will no doubt also explain that Hong Kong looks to
Britain to give a lead in international efforts to find
a solution.
subject.
I will be writing separately about this
The Prime Minister may wish to ask about the state
of confidence in the territory. As the briefing paper
shows, the recent upward trend in emigration from the
territory is a source of concern and the Hong Kong
authorities are taking a number of steps to contain its