TNAG-1324-FCO40-1736-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 198

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HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE 29 FEBRUARY:

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

HONG KONG: DEFENSIVE MATERIAL FOR WINDING UP DEBATE

CONTENT AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF TALKS/BRITISH SILENCE

1. By common agreement the content of the talks is confidential.

Future arrangements for Hong Kong must be worked out carefully and

responsibly. So far as we are concerned the conference table is the

place for an exchange of views.

PRESS SPECULATION

There has been a good deal of press speculation about the content of the talks, the specific progress being made in them and

the timing of a possible agreement. The content of the talks is

2.

confidential. All I can say is that the talks are useful and constructive and we are getting on with them as quickly as we can. It would not be appropriate to comment further on press speculation.

TIMETABLE FOR TALKS AND CHINESE THREAT TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT BY

SEPTEMBER 1984

"IMMINENCE OF AGREEMENT"

We

3. No overall timetable has been agreed for the talks and we cannot predict how long they will take. The issues are complex. It is premature to speculate on when agreement will be reached. are getting on with the talks as quickly as we can. In our view the important thing is to come to the right solution.

HAVE HMG CONCEDED SÖVEREIGNTY AND/OR ADMINISTRATION?

4.

Both sides have agreed that the content of the talks should remain confidential. I do not believe that it would be appropriate to divulge details of the negotiations at this stage. However, in

due course it will be for Parliament to give its views on the

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/acceptability