TNAG-1028-FCO40-1278-Visits-by-Members-of-Parliament-to-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 91

(,

ĥinter

2

ift

PS/Mr. Maker

SECRET

NKK 02614

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

12 JAN1981

HONG KONG: VISIT OF MR JOHN WAKEHAM MEANDECK OFFICER THE HON TIMOTHY SAINSBURY MP

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

ما

1214

Awish

Problem

1.

The Governor has given his reaction to the views expressed

to Mr Blaker by these 2 MPs. What further action should be taken?

Recommendation

I recommend that Mr Blaker note the contents of the Governor's

2.

letter.

Background

༣.

Mr Wakeham and the Hon Timothy Sainsbury visited Hong Kong

in October, at the invitation of the Hong Kong Government.

A Mr Wakeham subsequently wrote to Mr Blaker about his impressions Nick c2016

1982

of Hong Kong on 20 October. Mr Blaker discussed the letter with

BUS the MPS on 26 November following which Mr Morrice wrote to the FUCK 220/6 198

Governor at Mr Blaker's request. The Governor has now replied.

จาก iverando

19780

4.

The MPs' principle concern was that the expectations of the

emerging middle class in Hong Kong were being frustrated by the

Government's present policies. In particular, they felt that

having an elected element in local administration in Hong Kong

would provide a platform on which these frustrations could be aired.

This could eventually lead to a loss of confidence in Hong Kong.

The Governor accepts that this is a possibility but believes that

it is a necessary risk. He also suggests that if the middle classes

were to panic about the future, they would do so whether the

proposed changes in local administration took place or not.

I am

/sure

SECRET