TNAG-1263-FCO40-1606-Parliamentary-contacts-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 5

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SIR ROBIN DAY'S 'QUESTION TIME': 17 NOVEMBER 1983: OF HONG KONG

FUTURE Akhald

1. I was given the attached transcript on Tuesday. Although it is now rather old hat, you may be interested in the following observations:

(mp)

(a) Mr George Waldèn's remarks were generally helpful. I think we can gloss over minor matters such as his mathematical inaccuracies (97% of Hong Kong is held on lease ...) and commend b hir emphasis on:

(i) the need for realism;

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(ii)

the need for sensitivity in the Sino-Bricestor

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(iii)

our basic aims in the talks;

•

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(iv) the need to bear in mind the interests et

people of Hong Kong, but also those of the people of this country;

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(v) the reasons why democratic processes in Hong Kong are

not as well developed as some evidently would wish.

(b) Mr Bernard Levin's remarks, were hardly of the type to boost arguments reflected those in his

cast in the Sir P Goodhart mould, confidence in Hong Kong. Mr. Levin's 'Times' article of 30 September viz:

(i) It is more or less inevitable that Hong Kong will revert

to China in 1997;

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

when that happens, the basic freedoms of the Hong Kong people will be extirpated;

with this in mind, we should launch as soon as possible an international 'rescue operation' to make adequate provision elsewhere for Hong Kong people who want to leave;

it would be futile to negotiate any deal by which the Chinese 'promise' to leave Hong Kong free; it would not last.

Mr. Levin clearly has difficulty with nationality questions (people of Hong Kong described as British Brotected Bersons) and with choice of language acceptable to the BBC. (See page 8 of transeript).

(MP) halo

(c) Mr Paddy Ashdown's remarks seemed to reflect basic ignorance of the facts. Another poacher of Lord Carrington's term 'megaphone diplomacy', he accused the Prime Minister unjustly of:

(i) jingoism;

(ii)

Union Jack waving;

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