ILVI
PORRIGE SUC IIT HONG TEG RTAK 4 JULY 1980
FORRIGE SEGRETARY (COMT);
Specifically I have said we shall be making an announcement
of our response to the citizenship plea. I have announced our clear
commitment to the Bill of Rights which people have attached
importance to. I have announced our willingness to respond to the
views of the people of Hong Kong on the shape of democracy here. I
have told people that I shall be seeking to mobilise an
international response to the plea that has been made from Hong
Kong. I have made it very clear that we shall be seeking to drive
home to the Peking Government just how much they have got to do to
repair the damage.
That is quite a lot of things I have undertaken to do.
INTERVIEWER:
Yes but on the nationality issue, the mere fact that you were
coming to Hong Kong raised expectations that you would be able to
make an announcement on exactly what the British Government is
considering now.
FORMIGE SECRETARY:
1 wanted to come here to hear how people felt about that, how
they approached it. I wanted also to come here to argue the central
case that it would not be possible for us to respond comprehensively
to the bid that has been made and I think it 16 only right that I
should come and explain that as I have done at length to AMBLCO, to
EXCO, to audiences including people like yourself.