Co-ordinator in Hong Kong, has advised that we turn down the interview on these grounds. This would be a good opportunity, however, to put across our views to an influential readership,
which does not necessarily hear them on a daily basis, at this critical time as the LegCo debate approaches.
5. The Secretary of State recently signed an article for the
Oriental Daily News, the widest circulating Chinese language Hong Kong daily, whose readership is drawn from the broader mass of the population. He will also shortly be giving written answers to questions from the South China Sunday Morning Post
(English language). I do not think that he should offer another interview to a Hong Kong paper at this time. Mr Goodlad might wish, therefore, to give this interview.
If the Minister agrees I will try to get the questions from the Hong Kong Economic Times in advance.
6.
from Mr Cornish to Mr Fung.
I attach a draft reply
Monty
Sara Everett
News Department