TNAG-0983-FCO40-1202-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 126

FOR ACTING GOVERNOR FROM CLIFT

HONG KONG TEL NO 868: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

see

135

1. THE GOVERNOR DISCUSSED THIS WITH MR BLAKER ON 14 JULY. THE

INCREASED PRESSURES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS WERE RECOGNISED.

MR BLAKER SAID THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEEK THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S

IEW ON THE TIMING OF IMPLEMENTATION, SPECIFICALLY AS TO WHETHER LORD CARRINGTON WOULD PREFER THIS TO AWAIT HIS VISIT TO PEKING IN EARLY OCTOBER. IT MIGHT BE DESIRABLE IN TERMS OF PRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT AND ELSEWHERE TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY HAD BEEN TAKEN TO INDUCE THE CHINESE TO STEP UP THEIR ACTION. ON THE OTHER HAND THERE COULD BE AN ARGUMENT FÖR GETTING IMPLEMENTATION OVER DURING THE PARLIAMENTARY RECESS.

2. WE WILL SUBMIT IN THIS SENSE SHORTLY ASKING THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR A DECISION, ON THE BASIS OF WHICH THE GOVERNOR CAN REVIEW THE SITUATION ON HIS RETURN IN MID-AUGUST. AT THE GOVERNOR'S REQUEST WE WILL RECOMMEND THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE AGREE THAT IN ANY CASE, IF THERE IS A VERY SHARP DETERIORATION, THE MEASURES COULD BE IMPLEMENTED AT SHORT NOTICE.

CARRINGTON "