GRC 300 IMMEDIATE
CYFER CAT A
FM FCO 0118392
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY
2018Z
CONFIDENTIAL
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DY 160'
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TEL NO7946 OF 1 NOVEMBER, 1974
FROM HKIOD
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION,
T REF.
(163)
166 167
خارا
1. SIR. ANTHONY ROYLE HAS PUT DOWN A QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER ON 6 NOVEMBER, TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE IF HE WILL GIVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THERE IS NO INTENTION TO CHANGE OR REDUCE THE BRITISH POLITICAL
AND MILITARY COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG.
2. WE PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND THE ANSWER QUOTE WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF
ABANDONING OR MODIFYING OUR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION
OF HONG KONG. WE SHALL ALSO MAINTAIN OUR COMMITMENT TO DEFEND THE
COLONY. THE PRESENT DEFENCE AGREEMENT EXPIRES IN MARCH 1976. THE
SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT WILL NEED TO BE DISCUSSED WITH THE HONG KONG
GOVERNMENT IN THE LIGHT OF THE DEFENCE REVIEW. UNQUOTE
3. WE PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND ANSWERS TO SUPPLEMENTARIES ON THE FOLLOWING
LINES:
(A) WHY NOT GIVE UP HONG KONG?
WE ADMINISTER THE COLONY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE 4 MILLION
INHABITANTS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO LIVE THERE. IT IS APPARENT THAT
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT DO NOT WISH TO DISTURB THE PRESENT
SITUATION.
(B) THE END OF THE LEASE.
THE NEW TERRITORIES LEASE DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL 1997. IT IS
NOT POSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE SO FAR
IN THE FUTURE.
(C) ELECTIONS TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG ARE SPECIAL AND MAKE VERY DIFFICULT
ANY DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS AN ELECTED FORM OF GOVERNMENT. THE
SITUATION IS WELL UNDERSTOOD LOCALLY.
(D) CHINESE REPRESENTATION.
THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECENT DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL.
(IF PRESSED ON WHAT ATTITUDE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOW TAKE IF THE CHINESE PRESS THIS PROPOSAL). I WOULD NOT WANT TO COMMENT ON A
HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION.
CONFIDENTIAL
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