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formal, and perhaps even informal, links with the Commonwealth after
1997. However, we have yet to raise this question with the Chinese in the Joint Liaison Group.
4. An article in "The Parliamentarian" would provide an excellent opportunity to put across to an influential readership the key elements in the Government's policy towards Hong Kong. It would also offer an opportunity to tackle some of the negative and critical views of Hong Kong's future and Government policy towards Hong Kong which have recently become prevalent in the press.
5. Of the other potential contributors mentioned in Dr Tonkin's
letter, Maria Tam can be expected to be reasonably positive. Martin Lee is of course likely to adopt a critical tone. (Both are members of the Basic Law Drafting Committee). It is important to ensure that a contribution from Martin Lee is off-set by a piece
setting out the British Government's view. To decline the invitation could well send the wrong signals to Hong Kong: if the news got out, the view would be taken that there was something to
hide.
6.
We are a little puzzled by Dr Tonkin's suggestion that the
article should deal with "provisions for those who wish to leave the
dependency". If by this he is referring to freedom of movement for
Hong Kong people after 1997, that would be no problem. But if, as
seems more likely, he is referring to the "emigration" issue and
access to the UK, I do not believe it would be appropriate to tackle that issue in what I envisage will be an upbeat article.
7. If the Secretary of State agrees with the recommendation, I
shall submit a draft article in due course. We shall also approach
the Governor to establish whether he can discreetly obtain information on the likely thrust of the contributions from Hong
Kong.
Rosalind Harde
Miss R M Marsden
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