TNAG-1327-FCO40-1740-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Ministerial-statements-1984 — Page 8

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

The Assessment and the Monitors, despite some unfounded criticisms. 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,

or

I

as hon Members have pointed out, some individuals in Hong Kong have expressed reservations about particular aspects, 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