TNAG-1173-FCO40-1465-Future-of-Hong-Kong-special-study-by-FCO-for-the-Prime-Minis-1982 — Page 41

HMG'S COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG

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Lord Trefgarne in the House of Lords on 13 February 1981:

'On the one hand, there is our commitment to the territory [of Hong Kong], which has been announced before today from this Box, and I confirm it again now.'

Lord Trefgarne in the House of Lords on 24 February 1981:

'I should like to end on a simple and straightforward point. The ultimate responsibility of the good government of Hong Kong and the protection and well-being of its people rests with Her Majesty's Government here in London, and specifically with my noble Friend, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary. I reaffirm our commitment to that constitutional position tonight.'

Lord Carrington at a Press Conference in Hong Kong on 31 March 1981:

'The second purpose of the visit is to demonstrate, and reaffirm, the unshakeable commitment of the British Government to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong'.

'I can't emphasise strongly enough the commitment that Britain has to Hong Kong'.

Mr Raison in the House of Commons on 4 June 1981:

'It is a fact that nothing in the [Nationality] Bill changes the relationship and commitment of Her Majesty's Government to the people of Hong Kong. I gladly give that assurance.'

Lord Trefgarne in the House of Lords on 13 October 1981:

'I want first to make it clear that the Government are no less determined than my noble friend to maintain present links between Hong Kong and the people of the United Kingdom and to do everything we possibly can to ensure that the people of the territory understand beyond peradventure that our affection for them and our concern for their welfare are not transient things but permanent

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