TNAG-1307-FCO40-1664-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 13

140' A

(138) B

Mr Donald

Private Secretary

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FROM: CO HUM

1554

Search of Skat

DATE: 29 February 1984

Cc:

PS/Mr Luce Sir P Cradock

FUTURE OF HONG KONG : LETTER FROM MR WALTER SULKE TO THE PRIME MINISTER

1.

143)

Mr Coles wrote to the Private Secretary on 21 February enclosing a copy of a letter and speech which the Prime Minister had received from Mr Walter Sulke. I submit a draft reply from Mr Coles to Mr Sulke, and a draft covering letter to No 10

2.

We have discussed this proposed reply with the Hong Kong Government. They expressed the view that only the first paragraph of the draft shall be used, on the grounds that a more substantive reply would encourage Mr Sulke and others to engage in protracted correspondence with the Prime Minister (Hong Kong telno 539 refers).

3. In my view to send a mere acknowledgement would not be fully consistent with HMG's policy of responding seriously and substantively to letters in which members of the public express their views. I therefore recommend that the full reply should be sent briefly addressing the major points raised by Mr Sulke. We should recognise however that the text may well be made public in

Hong Kong.

HKK 040/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

2 MAR 1984

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

сбонит

3

29 February 1984

drafts.

Д

CO Hum

Hong Kong Department

agree with the judgment and the

Adhold

29/2

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