TNAG-1326-FCO40-1738-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 55

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3. I believe that the sense of the debate is clear. Noble

Lords clearly agree with me that this is a good agreement,

that it provides a satisfactory basis for the future of Hong Kong, and that the territory has every prospect of stability, prosperity and still more remarkable development into the

twenty-first century. I would like to express the thanks of my rt hon and learned Friend, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, for the compliments that many Noble Lords have paid him for his part in the negotiations that led up to this

agreement.

4.

There have been certain worries and concerns expressed

by the people of Hong Kong. I regard this as quite natural and understandable, given the significance and uniqueness of the change that lies ahead of them. Some of these concerns

have been raised by noble Lords, and I shall try to answer as

many of these points as I can in this speech.

CONFIDENTIAL