* Answers
MARCH
*al Answers
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Rev. Marnn Smyth: i cin the Minister in congratulat-
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Mr. Hogg: I certainly think that the CSCE :> The
eading international organisation in terms of promoting a Leasenre and subsequent negotiations. It mav, indeed, be The leading organisation if and when a peace-keeping force "ecomes necessary. I do not think that it makes sense for
any of the parties to think that they would do weil to transier the negotiations to the United Nations; let us keep them within the CSCE.
On the non Gentleman s latter point, the answer may རྞ༩ ses: I would be necessary to explore particular methods, but it is worth thinking about.
Hong Kong
Mr. Sums: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Governor of Hong Kong to discuss his plans for
Jemocratic reform.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Douglas Hurd): I plan to meet the Governor during his visit to this country in April, and to discuss with him the progress of his proposals for democracy in Hong Kong, which have our full support.
Mr. Sims: Can my night hon. Friend assure the House and the people of Hong Kong that he and the Governor are of one mind about how to implement the proposals for democratic reform in the territory? Can he reassure us that Hong Kong will be fully involved in any discussions which take place between the British and Chinese Governments?
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Mr. Hurd: Yes. As I have said, the Governor has our firm and daily support. He and the Executive Council are fully involved in making policy on this and other issues. We hope that it may soon be possible for us to do what the Governor has always wanted and start discussions with the Chinese on the constitutional position. If such discussions were to start, the British team would of course include representatives of the Hong Kong Government.
Sir David Steel: In view of the Governor's previous high-profile parusan role in politics in this country, is it not important to make it clear that his proposals enjoy not only the support of Her Majesty's Government, but support across the Floor of the House? Many of us regard them as the minimum necessary to give reality to the pledge of one country, two systems.
Mr. Hurd: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman and I agree with him. It is also relevant that the Governor's proposals continue to enjoy wide support in Hong Kong.
Mr. David Howell: Does my right hon. Friend accept that, as evidenced by the last question, the Governor of
476 CO32/2 Job 1-3
ong Kong has the full support at the House in his cuit nandung of the reform process with Bening: Does è accent that, although we respect the aims of the People s equonc of China in trying to develop a market economy.
>ant its trenɑship and wish to pay it every courtesy, inat
: not by any means the same as agreeing with its every
-nim in every case?
Mr. Hurd: ree with my ment non. Frend. We .elcome and support the liberausing measures that the Government of the People's Republic are taking inside China. We want to hoid to the joint declaration. We have no intention of going against the Basic Law. We believe that the Governor's proposats fail within the Basic Law. We wish to proceed in consultation and in discussion with
China on this and other matters, but the points that my ment hon. Friend and the night hon. Member for Tweeddale. Ettnck, ano Lauderdale (Sir D. Steel) have made are valid and it is useful that they have been echoed in all parts of the House.
Dr. John Cunningham: Does the Foreign Secretary understand that we have always supported the Governor s
proposals to Wia
the franchise and to increase democratic involvement in Hong Kong and that that remains our position? When the night hon. Gentleman savs that we have to be clear about that, do we not also have a duty to make clear to the people of Hong Kong themselves, including those who sit on Legco, the exact nature of the delay that has been announced? Would it not be clearly unfair to the people of Hong Kong if that delay were to endure without some indicauon from the Government of the People's Republic of China as to whether, and on what terms, they are willing to return to the discussions about the future of Hong Kong?
Mr. Hard: The Governor and Exco have delayed publication of the draft legislation in order to create the possibility and the best possible climate for the talks that we hope to achieve, but it has been made clear to all concerned that the delay cannot reasonably conunue indefinitely.
South America
4. Mr. Bates: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited the Falkland Islands to discuss relations with South American
countries.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Tristan Garel-Jones): I visited the Falkland Islands from 11 to 13 February. I assured the islanders of Her Majesty's Government's determination to defend their rights to live under a Government of their own choosing. I suggested that the possible advantages of closer links with the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and Chile might ment examination.
Mr. Bates: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that answer. Does he agree with me, however, that the prosperity of the Falkland islanders depends on their being allowed fully to exploit the considerable natural resources which exist in that part of the world in terms of oil and gas reserves and fish stocks? Should they not also be allowed to develop, reaffirm and restore their sensible trading links with Argentina? Will my right hon. Friend reaffirm the