CONFIDENTI AL
Secretary of State
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From: Lady Young
181
Date: 11 December 1984
cc: Mr Luce
PUS
Sir W Harding
Dr Wilson
Mr Galsworthy, HKD Mr Houston
HONG KONG: HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE
1. As I mentioned at the Ministers' meeting this morning yesterday's debate went well. There were at least 40 Peers present throughout and I hope that the UMELCO delegation (who listened to the whole of the debate) will have come away feeling that the House did justice to the issues involved.
2. All of those who spoke were constructive about the agreement. Lord MacLehose and Lord Home made particularly notable contributions and from the Opposition Front Bench Lord Cledwyn was generally - and helpfully - supportive of the way in which the negotiations with the Chinese had been conducted. Many of the issues that surfaced were the same as in the House of Commons debate. There was not much discussion of the complexities of the nationality issue as the House expected to be able to debate this issue during the passage of the legislation giving effect to the agreement next year. This could be troublesome given that we plan to introduce the new nationality status for Hong Kong BDTCs by means of an Order in Council; and I think that we may also be in for a rough ride on pensions. There was some support for the idea of an annual report to Parliament in the years leading up to 1997 and I think this will resurface during the passage of the legislation next year.
3.
I was able to work into my winding-up speech the passage you had agreed with Leon Brittan on undertakings for Government servants who might be at risk after 1997. Lord MacLehose, whose speech gave me the opportunity to do this, listened with particular attention and I think that the point will not be lost on those at whom it is aimed in Hong Kong.
4. I am most grateful to the Department for the superb briefing they produced for the debate and the support they gave during it.
11 December 1984
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Lady Young HKK 040/31
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