TNAG-1262-FCO40-1602-MPs--letters-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 4

From the Secretary of State

سا

Robert

LAST PAPER

HUD

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

30 December 1983

+KK 040/13

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

29 DEL 1983

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

(11)

Thank you for your letter of 19 December on the future of Hong Kong.

I am gratified by what you say about the confidence

of investors and the abilities of our negotiating team.

169

For the rest, your letter goes over ground which we

covered in our recent discussion. We do indeed feel that

the maximum continuity in the administrative structures of Hong Kong will assist confidence among the territory's population. Where consultation of the Hong Kong people is concerned, this difficult question will need to be considered at the appropriate time, in the light of all the prevailing circumstances. In the meantime I know that the Governor and his officials are acutely aware of the need to keep in close touch with popular opinion in all parts of the community.

GEOFFREY HOWE

Robert Adley Esq MP