TNAG-1327-FCO40-1740-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Ministerial-statements-1984 — Page 64

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agreement to Parliament in the forthcoming Parliamentary debates.

it will

A FARCE, GIVEN THAT THE AGREEMENT CANNOT BE CHANGED?

170. No. When Parliament debates the draft agreement

expect to make a clear view of Hong Kong opinion. It is of value

tht the Assessment Office report should set out such a comprehensive

list of the concerens of the Hong Kong people. This will assist

discussion between the British and Chinese Governments

Liaison Group on the implementation of the agreement.

LOW LEVEL OF PUBLIC RESPONSE?

in the Joint

171. Not at all. Public response was far higher than in any

previous consultation exercise. Many of the submissions received by the Assessment Office represented the collective views of groups and organisations comprising very large numbers of individuals. Those in representatie bodies who debated the agreement were expressing their understanding of grassroots opinion. There has been a vigorous public debate on the agreement in Hong Kong every since it

was published.

VIEWS EXPRESSED WERE UNREPRESENTATIVE?

172.

The Assessment Office clearly states its view that the response came from a wide cross-section of the community. I t rejects the idea that there could be a "silent majority" in Hong Kong whose views might not have been expressed or reflected. All the expressions of view monitored by the Assessment Office, whether from individuals or groups, from reports in the media or the outcome of independent opinion surveys, corroborate and reinforce each

other.

SHOULD NOT MORE HAVE BEEN DONE EARLIER AT THE POLITICAL LEVEL TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSULTING AND ASSESSING THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG? (MONITORS' REPORT PARAGRAPH 12)

173. This was addressed in a number of political statements, including the statement by the Secretary of State in Hong Kong on 1 August, the White Paper containing the draft agreement, the Governor's address to the Legislative Council on 26 September and the statement by Sir G Howe in Parliament on 25 October. The good response to the Assessment Office suggests that the importance of

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