27-OCT-1993 11:48
HK GOVERNMENT HOUSE
- 3
852 521 1868
P.08
There are however, two points which should not be in debate. First, we have given specific assurances to the ethric minorities in Hong Kong should they come under pressure to leave Hong Kong after the 30th June 1997 and have nowhere to go. stand by these assurances.
We Secondly, as far as
as far as other British nationals 11 Hong Kong are concerned, the then Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, told
told the foreign Affairs Select Committee in 1989 that if, against all our expectations, the worst were to happen after 1997, the UK, with its special responsibility for thẻ Colony, would have to respond to that. Needless to say the British Government stands fully by that assurance as well.