TNAG-1236-FCO40-1549-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 17

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cc: PS/PUS

Mr Donald

Mr Ure

PS/Lord Belstead

Jultras

LETTER FROM THE RT HON DAVID OWEN MP:

PROBLEM

HRRoy0/1

22 MAR 1983

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HONG KONG

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1. To reply to a letter of 9 March to the Secretary of State from Dr Owen asking how the Secretary of State proposes to

associate the people of Hong Kong more closely with the

negotiations with the Chinese, and for an indication of when

Mr Pym will report to Parliament on the progress of the

negotiations.

RECOMMENDATION

2. I recommend that the Secretary of State reply along the

lines of the attached draft.

BACKGROUND

3. Regular consultations between HMG and the Hong Kong

Government on the future have been taking place since last September. During visits to Hong Kong by the Prime Minister and

Lord Belstead last year, it was made clear that the views of the

people of Hong Kong will be fully taken into account in the talks. It has been agreed that the Governor should be consulted and should participate personally as and when necessary in the

talks as should other Hong Kong representatives. It has also

been agreed that the Governor should brief EXCO on developments

and keep them clearly in the picture. He himself has stressed

that all channels are open for the people of Hong Kong to make

their views known.

4.

Under the last Labour Administration, procedures were

instituted by Dr Owen to encourage participation by the inhabitants

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