TNAG-1246-FCO40-1560-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 7

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2. THE GOVERNMENT IS INTERESTED IN THE PUBLIC'S VIEWS ON THE FUTURE. THERE ARE MANY EXISTING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WHICH ARE BEING USED TO RECORD THE VIEWS OF RESIDENTS. THESE INCLUDE THE MEDIA AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS WHICH HAVE WIDE TERMS OF REFERENCE AND IT IS PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE FOR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE FUTURE BECAUSE IT IS A SUBJECT WHICH CONCERNS THE WELL-BEING OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICTS.

3. PERSONS WHO WISH TO GO TO LONDON TO STATE THEIR VIEWS ON THE FUTURE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK APPOINTMENTS WITH MINISTERS IN THE ORDINARY COURSE. THERE IS, OF COURSE, NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD NECESSARILY GET AN APPOINTMENT.

4. THE GOVERNOR WOULD GO TO PEKING WHEN A POINT WAS REACHED AT WHICH HIS PARTICIPATION WOULD BE USEFUL. THE GOVERNOR'S RECENT DISCUSSION IN LONDON HAD BEEN VERY USEFUL UNQUOTE.

YOUDE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED

HD/HKGD HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

PS

PS/MR HURD

PS/LORD BELSTEAD PS/PUS

SIR J BULLARD

MR GIFFARD

MR DONALD

3

COPIES TO

SIR I SINCLAIR LEGAL ADVISER

MR ROBERTS

MR COLES

MR MARTIN

NEWS D

NO 10 DOWNING STREET

ASSESSMENTS STAFF

CABINET OFFICE

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE, LONDON,

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