TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 145

CONFIDENTIAL

This does however make a Ministerial statement in Parlia-

ment some time during next week's proceedings essential

if the Governor is to put the lid on his latest useful

discussionswith UMELCO and in particular to persuade

them not to send a further delegation to London.

3. I very much hope therefore that it will be possible

for Home Office Ministers to reiterate next week in

Parliament not only the assurance that Mr Whitelaw gave

there on 28 January concerning HMG's continued commitment

to Hong Kong but also Mr Luce's statement in Committee

on 28 April.

4.

Lord Carrington has received a letter from the senior

Unofficial Member of UMELCO to which a reply must be sent

shortly (copy enclosed). It will of course be a great

help if he can then draw attention to the assurances

which we hope your Ministers will be able to make on the

lines which I have suggested.

CONFIDENTIAL

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