Secretary of State
CONFIDENTIAL
CC. Sir. B/CaDoor,
From: Lady Young
Date: 22 May 1984
NKK040/31 cc: M Luce
(EIVED ·
PUS
24 MAY 1984
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Dr Wilson
Sir W Harding
NB
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JB 30/3 Mr Clift,
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"Mr. Hum Mr. Powell
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HONG KONG: HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE
It was a
1. Lord Fanshawe's Unstarred Question on Hong Kong was taken in the House of Lords last night. useful debate. Nearly all those who spoke complimented you on your speech in the House of Commons last week; and there was, I think, a general recognition that the handling of the negotiations must be left to the Government and that it would be wrong for Parliament to try to involve itself too deeply at this stage although it would have to be the final judge of the acceptability of the agreement. There was a great deal of Hong Kong interest in the proceedings and the galleries were full to overflowing with journalists and others from the Colony, including some members of the UMELCO delegation whom you met last week and about whom the Lords were much nicer than the Commons.
2. The Debate nonetheless gave some pointers to the sort of problems that we are likely to face over the next few months. All those who spoke drew attention to the nationality issue; and Lord Geddes even suggested that Hong Kong BDTC's should be given the status of British Overseas Citizens after 1997. There was also a good deal of comment on the form and content of the agreement with the Chinese. But for the moment the House of Lords, at least, will, I think, be prepared to let us play our hand with a minimum of interference.
Tani You
Lady Young
22 May 1984
CONFIDENTIAL
99
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