From:
The Archbishop of York
HB012/7
py. Preservation Stephen. (78
BISHOPTHORPE PALACE
BISHOPTHORPE
YORK
YO2 1QE
13th October 1992
York (0904) 707021
Fax: (0904) 709204
Dr. Ricketts, HKD
f.i.
Je PS
Cirmilan. PS/M. Goodland
PS/PUS
Sv. J. Mes Dr. Hury
Dear Douglas
I write to thank you for your courtesy in letting me know in advance about Chris Patten's speech on October 7th.
I have now had an opportunity to read it in its entirety, and find it an impressive and encouraging document which demonstrates the wisdom of sending a skilled and experienced politician to Hong Kong for these crucial five years. His speech also goes a long way towards meeting points made by the Churches about the development of democracy in Hong Kong. There is obviously an element of risk in separating the Executive Council from the Legislative Council as one cannot tell in advance how an unelected executive body might be misused under Chinese rule, but I have no doubt all concerned are alert to this danger.
I hope it may be possible to secure some public support for these proposals from the Churches and will try to persuade the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland to give this in a form which should get back to the churches in Hong Kong.
With all good wishes.
To Davies, FED
Spaind PS/No. 10
Advices
10
The Rt Hon Douglas Hurd, CBE, MP
Secretary of State
Foreign & Commonwealth Office Downing Street
London SW1A 2AL
Yours as ever
John.
: Copy by fax
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