TNAG-1136-FCO40-1416-Address-by-Sir-Edward-Youde--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-the-L-1982 — Page 17

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31. As you, Sir, announced in your Address, meetings have begun in Peking to follow up the Prime Minister's

discussions with Chinese leaders. I have no doubt that

this diplomatic endeavour reflects, in Dr Ho Kam-fai's words, the desire of the two Governments "to settle

the Hong Kong issue as soon as possible". grateful for the restraint shown by Members in recognising that the talks must remain confidential. Mr Lo, for

example, referred to "the necessity for confidentiality at this stage."

I am

But I can assure Members that, when

there is something which can be said about the content of the talks, or about Hong Kong participation in them, statements will be released, Executive Council, of course, being informed beforehand. If the timing permits, these

statements will take the form of public announcements made in this Chamber, for I take Mr Brown's point that this is "the correct and proper place" for developments about the future to be made known publicly.

32.

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calmly",

Miss Dunn maintained that "Hong Kong people accept that the issues to be resolved are (necessarily) complex" and argued that "they can be relied upon to follow the

course of the talks

provided "they feel confident that their interests and wishes are taken into

account", I can assure Members that it will be the constant endeavour of Her Majesty's Government to do just

that.

Meanwhile, nothing is to be gained by an unmerited crisis in confidence, particularly if the causative factors are speculative expressions of personal views. Almost every day, we read hearsay stories in the press about what the position of one side or the other may be; and sometimes there is much circumstantial detail. Such stories have an unsettling effect even though on occasions they have no basis in fact; so I would caution people against believing all that they read or hear. Rumour so often feeds on itself. To quote Mr Swaine: "The danger is that people will worry themselves into a crisis"; or, as Dr Ho Kam-fai put it: "Nervousness and panic are contagious".

/We must not...

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