CONFIDENTIAL
лу
99
r Lipsey
HEG'S POLICY ON HONG KONG: LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
1. You have asked for a draft reply to a letter from Ars Shirley Williams' Political Adviser about a letter to Mrs Williams from Krs Susan Yuen in Hong Kong.
2.
Mrs Yuen's letter is not the first indication we have had that there is speculation in Hong Kong about HMG's intending to adopt a more interventionist approach towards the Colony's affairs. There were rumours in the Hong Kong press in the summer that HMG was planning a "shake-up" and Ir Craig White, a young American journalist who is writing an article for the "Far Eastern Economic Review" on British attitudes towards Hong Kong, enquired about the possible existence of a "position paper" on Hong Kong when he saw Mr Milton in early August. It is, of course, most important for the success of the new programme of measures which the Governor will be announcing to the Legislative Council next month that there should be no grounds for opinion in Hong Kong to think that there is any back-Boat driving from London. Ir Male has recently mimuted in this sense in a different context. I would advise therefore that Lirs Williams' reply to Mrs Yuen's letter should make it clear that no change in the relationship between the UK and Hong Kong is intended. At the same time, I think lire Yuen should be given some general indication that the time is ripe for further social improvements in Hong Kong.
3. I attach a dra.t. I suggest that copies of this correspondence should be sent to the Hong Kong Government. you agree, I shall arrange this.
If
24 September 1976
00:
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
Mr Male
CONFIDENTIAL
JA B Stewart
Hong Kong Department
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