TNAG-1324-FCO40-1736-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 47

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GIVE THEM THE MEANS AND, I HOPE, THE CONFIDENCE TO CONTRIBUTE MORE FULLY TO THEIR OWN FUTURE. IT WILL HOWEVER BE FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH THE POPULATION, TO DEFINE PRECISELY THE TIME SCALE AND THE WAY IN WHICH PROGRESS TOWARDS MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL BE MADE. FOR ITS

PART THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL STAND BY ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CAN ADMINISTER HONG KONG AND PLAN FOR ITS FUTURE SO LONG AS ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TERRITORY CONTINUES. I CAN ASSURE HONOURABLE MEMBERS THAT THERE WILL BE NO LAME DUCK ADMINISTRATION

IN HONG KONG.

16. IT IS OF COURSE PARLIAMENT WHICH WILL PLAY THE DECISIVE ROLE IN DETERMINING HONG KONG'S FUTURE. IT WILL BE FOR THIS HOUSE TO JUDGE OUR WORK AND TO DECIDE WHETHER TO APPROVE IT. WE ARE WORKING TO A TIME TABLE IN THE TALKS WHICH TAKES ACCOUNT OF CHINESE WISHES AND OF ALL OUR OWN REQUIREMENTS. WE ARE AWARE OF THE CHINESE DESIRE THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE IN SEPTEMBER. AT THE SAME TIME WE RECOGNISE THAT ANY ARRANGEMENTS NEGOTIATED MUST SUBSEQUENTLY BE DEBATED BY PARLIAMENT AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THIS WILL OF COURSE BE MADE. PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL NEED TO KNOW THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT AND HAVE TIME TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS: AND IN TURN PARLIAMENT ITSELF WILL WISH TO TAKE ACCOUNTS OF THOSE VIEWS.

A

THE

17. LET ME SUM UP THE POSITION. WE ARE STILL ENGAGED IN COMPLEX AND CHALLENGING NEGOTIATION. WE ARE WORKING TO PUT TOGETHER A PACKAGE WHICH WILL TAKE THE CONCERNS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE FULLY INTO ACCOUNT. WE ARE STILL SOME WAY FROM AN AGREEMENT, BUT A GOOD DEAL OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE. IN MY VIEW THERE IS A DETERMINATION ON BOTH SIDES TO BRING OUR WORK TO FRUITION IN AN AGREEENT WHICH WILL ENSURE THE PRESERVATION OF HONG KONG'S WAY OF LIFE. FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THIS REMAINS A PRIME OBJECTIVE.

THE AGREEMENT WHICH WE REACH MUST BE ONE THAT WE CAN HONOURABLY

COMMEND TO THIS HOUSE.

HOWE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

FED

PLANNING STAFF

/PUSD

D/ED/PUSD

PES.B. (MR WALKER)

LEGAL ADVISER (MR FREELAND).

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/E LUCE

PS/PUS

SER J BULLARD

STE MOR

SIR W HARDING

LAIR HILI CENT

SIF C TICKWELL,

COPIES TO:

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXOSEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS NEWS D

MR BURROWS LEGAL ADYS

COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST

MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF CABINET OFFICE

MR GOODALL CABINET OFFICE

MR SRENNAN CABINET OFFICE

PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE D

PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

SIR ? CRADOCKI 21 K195

SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STUS EIGIN

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