DSR 11C
DRAFT REPLY FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND SCIENCE TO MRS YUEN'S LETTER OF 9 SEPTEMBER
Thank you for your letter of 9 September.
It was very
kind of you to send me the article from the "South China Morning Post" and your own good wishes on my appointment (about which I am naturally delighted). I look back with pleasure on my visit to Hong Kong some years ago.
You say in your letter that you are concerned at signs that Whitehall is endeavouring to exercise tighter controls over Hong Kong. I have taken advice on this point and can assure you that this is not the intention.
No change is envisaged in the relationship between Britain and Hong Kong. At the same time, as I am sure you will appreciate, the relationship is not a static one. The British Government and the Hong Kong Government both have responsibilities for the welfare of the population of Hong Kong and, naturally, there is
and has been fer many years,
isa a constant exchange of views between the two- a dialogue, if you like about how these responsibilities should best be discharged as circumstances change. At the present time, with Hong Kong having recovered so well from recession I note what you say about the outward and visible signs of prosperity in Hong Kong - there would seem to be scope for making further improvements in the conditions of life in Hong Kong and your present Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, has, as you know, clear ideas about the development of Hong Kong. In this situation, the aim of the dialogue between the British Government and the Hong Kong Government which, as I have said, is not a new feature of the relationship, is to arrive at a consensus about the steps which might be taken to improve the wellbeing of the people of Hong Kong. This
na does not involve the imposition of tighter controls on Hong Kong by Whitehall which, as I have said, is not the intention
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