TNAG-0579-FCO40-712-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 152

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but in the intervening months interest has waned, partly perhaps as a result of the proposals announced by the Governor at the beginning of October for further progress in the social, labour and allied fields in Hong Kong. If we were to accept some form of parliamentary enquiry at the present time, we should be playing a card which might be employed much more effectively if and when there was significant parliamentary pressure on Hong Kong.

4.

This

There are, furthermore, serious disadvantages to the options set out in subparagraphs 2(a) and 2(b). Both would give rise to speculation that HMG contemplated radical changes in Hong Kong. would cause considerable consternation in Hong Kong and a hardening of attitudes there. The Chinese might well be suspicious of our intentions. If a parliamentary delegation (or a Select Committee) came to conclusion that changes were needed in Hong Kong, a situation might develop in which HMG; the Hong Kong Government and Parliament

were in conflict with one another. One result might well be the erosion of the Governor's authority. Sir Murray MacLehose made it

clear when the idea of a parliamentary enquiry was first mooted that he particularly disliked it on this account. He thought that the idea was so potentially disruptive that it would be better for the Secretary of State to replace him as Governor in order to gain a breathing space. Option (b), which could have implications for other dependent territories has, in fact, already been ruled out in answer to a Parliamentary Question by Mr Frank Hooley MP on 19 February.

5.

Option (c) is the least unattractive of the three. It would not involve a formal enquiry or report. If the group were to be invited by the Governor rather than appointed by HMG, it would not imply any criticism of the Hong Kong Government on HMG's part. But since there is such little pressure from Parliament at the present time, there appears to be little point in putting forward an idea which is likely to raise doubts in the Governor's mind about our

real intentions.

6. More generally, there is no lack of information available to HMG and Parliament about the situation in Hong Kong. There is a steady flow of visits in both directions by officials, the Governor

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