TNAG-1326-FCO40-1738-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 108

CONFIDENTIAL

(C) ASSESSMENT OFFICE

7. The people of Hong Kong have been given every encouragement to

express their opinions on the agreement, and an objective analysis

of their views has been laid before the House. As the report of the

Assessment Office indicates, the majority of the people of Hong Kong

find the draft agreement acceptable. The conclusions of the

Assessment Office have been confirmed by the report of the

independent Team of Monitors, who also concluded that the Assessment

Office had fulfilled its task accurately, fairly and impartially.

would like to add my thanks to those of the Foreign and Commonwealth

Secretary for the excellent job done by both the Assessment Office and the Monitors, despite some unfounded criticisms. The Assessment Office has been vigorously methodical and impartial in its task. The Monitors gave up their many other commitments to perform their

important function, and we are most grateful to them.

8. Of course,

I

as hon Members have pointed out, some individuals in

Hong Kong have expressed reservations about particular aspects, or hopes about the way in which the agreement is to be implemented. These views have been fully recorded in the Assessment Office

Report, and I can assure the House that these views will be borne in mind by the Government in future discussions with the Chinese

Government on the implementation of the agreement.

CONFIDENTIAL