XN000022-1983-09-01 — Page 2

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1983

RESERVES BELONG TO HONG KONG - SIR PHILIP

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HONG KONG'S MONETARY ASSETS LODGED IN OVERSEAS DEPOSITORIES BELONG TO HONG KONG, ARE MANAGED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND WILL ALWAYS BE MANAGED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

+AND THAT SITUATION I DO NOT SEE CHANGING, HE SAID.

SIR PHILIP WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS AT THE SHA TAU KOK POLICE STATION AT THE END OF HIS TOUR OF THE BORDER AREA THIS AFTERNOON.

ASKED WHEN THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WOULD BE RETURNING TO HONG KONG, SIR PHILIP SAID HE WOULD BE COMING BACK NEXT FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 9).

SIR EDWARD IS IN LONDON TODAY, HE SAID, AND WILL BE SPENDING THE NEXT FEW DAYS IN WHITEHALL SEEING MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS ON BUSINESS AND WILL BE DISCUSSING THE PRESENT STATE OF PLAY ON THE TALKS.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER SIR EDWARD WOULD BE MEETING THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, SIR PHILIP SAID MRS THATCHER'S INTEREST IN HONG KONG'S AFFAIRS AND IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WAS VERY WELL KNOWN.

+1 WOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF SHE DOES NOT SEE THE GOVERNOR IF IT IS POSSIBLE, HE SAID.

+I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IF A MEETING CAN BE ARRANGED, ONE WILL BE ARRANGED, HE SAID.

SIR PHILIP SAID MR RICHARD LUCE, MINISTER IN CHARGE OF HONG KONG AFFAIRS AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, WOULD BE VISITING HONG KONG FOR THREE WORKING DAYS TOWARDS THE END OF THIS MONTH AS PART OF A VISIT TO SOUTHEAST ASIA.

MR LUCE'S VISIT IS A ROUTINE ONE BY A MINISTER IN CHARGE OF HONG KONG AND HAS NO DIRECT CONNECTION WITH THE TALKS ON THE FUTURE, HE SAID.

IN THREE DAYS, MR LUCE CAN MEET A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REPRESENTATIVE OF A WIDE SPECTRUM OF OPINION.

+IT WILL BE A WORKING VISIT, NOT A SIGHTSEEING VISIT, HE ADDED. +1 HAVE NO DOUBT HE WILL TRAVEL AROUND HONG KONG Á GOOD DEAL. +

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