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MANGOLD: When parliamentary oversight of M16 is finally agreed, MPs from both sides of the House will be able to learn of the priorities that the Prime Minister and his advisers assign to the Service. It is gathering secret intelligence on Chinese diplomatic plans for the current round of negotiations between Hong Kong and Beijing. It is also spying on China's proliferation of ballistic missiles throughout the Third World.
PARK: I can't think of a more delicate subject to talk about than Hong Kong. I can only remind you that China is of course a great country and a major target, and I think you can be absolutely sure that the Service will have been enabled to put what effort is necessary into covering whatever HMG wants to know about that part of the world.
MANGOLD:
Using all the traditional methods?
PARK: And a few new ones as well, I hope.
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4. HSG had also not been advised of this exchange and is pursuing directly with his HQ to find out more background.
5. For the time being the Governor will be taking the following Line if asked:-
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GENERAL LINE
Have not yet seen the full transcript of what Baroness Park is reported to have said. But understand that the remarks reportedly attributed to her in the RTHK report may not accurately reflect what she actually said. As you might imagine, I am reluctant to speculate on reports which may themselves be speculative.
[If pressed further.]
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Clearly any questions about the British Security Agencies in general are matters for British Ministers rather than for Hong Kong
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