TNAG-0845-FCO40-1055-Visits-of-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 44

5&A

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- 7 NOV 1979

Mr Peter Blaker, Minister of State at the Foreign Office

Prepared for press conference at 4.30pm on Tu

25th September, 1979

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Part One

Local Affairs and Visiting MPs

(Possible questions and answers)

1) Three Members of the opposition Labour Party in the

British Parliament, Mr Robert Parry, Mr Dennis Canavan and Mr Harry Cowans, have recently visited Hong Kong under private arrangements. They have made public statements on a number of issues affecting Hong Kong. Are they in a position to influence the Hong Kong Government in making changes to policies relating to our

internal affairs and local administration?

A.

As you all know, Hong Kong is a British Colony

and the British Government has overall

responsibility for its affairs.

Constitutionally,

ministers in the United Kingdom are responsible

for Hong Kong and they have to answer for Hong

Kong policies in Parliament and to the country

at large. The British Government is kept fully

informed of the policies and actions of the

Hong Kong Government. There is close liaison

between the two Governments and consultations

the

are held on a regular basis. The policies and

administration of internal affairs of Hong

Kong are largely matters for the Hong Kong

Government which acts with the advice and

consent of the Legislative and Executive

Councils and guidance of a whole host of advisory

bodies which can relate these policies to the

local needs and local aspirations. Such policies

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