TNAG-1014-FCO40-1264-HM-Government-s-responsibility-for-internal-affairs-in-Hong--1981 — Page 65

Mr Clift, HKGD

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Donald

Donal

нек оты

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

RESPONS

HONG KONG: HMG'

INDEX

Problem

1.

DESK OFFICER

Subject

PA

MS21.

36/m

BS / Mr. Blaker

FOR INTERNAL MATTERS

REGISTRY

Action Taken

Ahzi

An increasing number of Hong Kong pressure groups are coming

to London to lobby FCO Ministers about matters which are primarily

the responsibility of the Hong Kong Government. How should these

groups be handled?

Recommendation

2. I recommend that such groups should normally be seen at

departmental level and that the department writes to the Governor

on the lines of the attached draft. The departmental legal adviser

and News Department concur.

Background and Argument

3. Mr Blaker has recently asked for advice on the general question

of how far FCO Ministers should respond to enquiries on Hong Kong

Mr Clift When Mr

matters.

was in Hong Kong in November, the Governor raised

the problems created by pressure groups coming to London.

@4. AKPOI613 AKP Oi613 Cise

↓

A&B

ア

The question of Ministerial responsibility for replying to MPs'

letters and PQs on Hong Kong internal matters has been looked at

before (the department's submissions of 4 and 8 August 1980).

There

is no doubt that MPs' letters have to be answered by HMG, and PQS

Akk cids laso

can only not be answered on grounds of cost or security.

5. Visits by Hong Kong pressure groups to the UK is another matter

and they are on the increase. Their being seen in the Office may

cause the Hong Kong Government difficulties. They are apt to take

the line on return to Hong Kong that, having put a letter to a

Minister in London or had an interview there, action by the Hong Kong

CONFIDENTIAL

/Government

2