TNAG-0222-FCO40-258-Conservative-Party-Committee-on-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 17

213

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Mr. Wilford

| Mr. Godden

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference.

emit (2).

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2

Conservative Party Committee on Hong Kong

Conservative Party plans to establish a committee on Hong Kong were announced in the Daily Telegraph yesterday (26th February). In his meeting with Lord Shepherd on 9th February Mr. Royle (the Chairman designate of the Committee) undertook to let the Minister see the terms of reference as soon as they were framed.

2. The newspaper report states that the Committee's task is "to study British policy towards Hong Kong in the light of the Colony's economic, constitutional and social problems and to make recommendations to a Conservative Government". The reference to constitutional problems is perhaps harmless enough on the face of it. Much, however, will depend on the interpretation put upon the Committee's role in Peking and in Hong Kong. The CPG will be looking carefully to see whether this heralds any plans for a possible change in the status quo in Hong Kong. There are elements in Hong Kong who will see here an opportunity to pursue their campaign for representa- tive and responsible government in Hong Kong. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that, unless the activities of the Committee are conducted carefully, they carry the risk of at least reducing confidence.

3. We have heard that the Committee proposes to call evidence (in camera) and produce a report which will cover inter alia their conclusions about the future of Hong Kong. While we understand that the document is to be confidential, there must clearly be a danger that it will not be kept sufficiently secure.

4. The Minister might perhaps take an early opportunity to see Mr. Royle again. He could pick up the reference to "constitutional problems" in the newspaper report and impress upon Mr. Royle the need for extreme care in handling this issue and indeed any speculation about the future of Hong Kong.

27 February, 1970

The

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Cate

(W. S. Carter)

Hong Kong Department

production of the report referred to in

para

3

if it touched

issues

real Amtole.

certan sensitive

and if it became public could cause

Without disclosing

how much

/wre

CONFIDENTIAL