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Visit to Hong Kong: Statement to the House by the Secretary of State
The Secretary of State, still on his way from Heathrow having landed this morning from Hong Kong, has telephoned to say that he has spoken to the Chief Whip and agreed that he will give a statement this afternoon. We have told the Lord President's office. It will be at 3.30 pm.
The Secretary of State would be grateful for a short draft which, he suggests, should cover the following:
a brief reference to what he did and whom he saw;
a reference to his having discussed three main
issues:
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the constitutional question
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right of abode
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- boat people
what he says about the constitutional question would need to be cautious given the current stage in negotiations with the Chinese;
- on right of abode, he would like to say that he
found considerable interest on the part of the various groups to whom he spoke (the statement could list some of them). The importance of the package he had announced in December was repeatedly stressed to him. There was some disappointment that it had not gone further, but widespread recognition of its value. There was also interest in carrying through the package speedily;
- on boat people, the Secretary of State thinks the
statement can be straightforward;
- he would like to finish up by saying that he hoped. he had been able to assure the people of Hong Kong that Britain would continue to be active and energetic on their behalf.
In supplementary briefing, for the questions which will follow the statement, the Secretary of State would like you to include the legal points about the right of abode, and figures on the current rate of emigration from Hong Kong.
R.H. & So
17 January 1990
(R HT Gozney)
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