TNAG-0443-FCO40-508-Parliamentary-Question-regarding-visit-of-James-Callaghan--S-1974 — Page 27

CPPS 340

AMEDIATE

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CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 190910Z

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.52

19 MAR 1974

HKK 3/5+ 3/10.

TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELNO 335 OF 19TH MARCH, 1974. INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.

FOR HKIOD.

YOUR TELNO 286.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION.

LAST

REF.

NEXT

REF

1. MY COMMENTS ON THE POSSIBLE SUPPLEMENTARIES ARE SET OUT BELOW. I HAVE KEPT THEM BRIEF AND HAVE NOT SUGGESTED THAT THE SUBJECTS RAISED SHOULD BE TREATED IN ANY GREATER DETAIL THAN YOU PROPOSE, ON

THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE MINISTER WILL NOT CONSIDER THIS AN

APPROPRIATE OCCASION FOR DEALING WITH MAJOR ISSUES OF POLICY FAR

REMOVED FROM THE QUESTION ITSELF.

2. MY COMMENTS ON PARAGRAPH 2 ARE AS FOLLOWS :

(A) NO OBJECTION

(B) ¦ SUGGEST THAT THIS SHOULD READ

WE ADMINISTER HONG KONG IN THE INTERESTS OF THE 4 MILLION INHABITANTS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO LIVE THERE. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY ARE BROADLY CONTENT

WITH THE PRESENT SITUATION.

(C) NO OBJECTION..

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(D) THIS QUESTION AND THOSE INCLUDED IN YOUR TELMO 287 HAVE BEEN

ANSWERED IN MY TELNO 333.

(E) NO OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED REPLY BUT I SUGGEST THAT THE PASSAGE COMMENCING ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE.... SHOULD NOT BE USED EVEN IF PRESSED.

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(F) NO OBJECTION.

CONFIDENTIAL