TNAG-1325-FCO40-1737-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 205

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This brings me to the question of the acceptability

of an agreement to the people of Hong Kong.

Throughout

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our negotiations with the Chinese Government, our

consultation with the people of Hong Kong has been and

it remains a continuous process. It has taken many forms

our close contact with the Executive Council, Ministerial

visits to the territory, the reception of delegations to

London and attention to the views and opinions which reach

the Hong Kong Government through many channels. The views

expressed by the Hong Kong people will continue to be taken

fully into account in our approach to the negotiations. This

process of consultation has been intensified since my visit

to the territory.

We shall continue to use and to develop

methods of carrying it forward which are appropriate to each

stage of the negotiations. In due course the Hong Kong people

will have a full opportunity to express their views on the

text of a draft agreement.

There has been some suggestion that a referendum might

have a part to play. On that, I have to say that there are

very real drawbacks. Whatever method is adopted, when the

time comes for the House to debate the draft agreement, the

people of Hong Kong will have had a full opportunity to make

their views known.