TNAG-1402-FCO40-1874-Future-of-Hong-Kong-continued-participation-in-the-General-A-1985 — Page 177

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FROM: Dr J E Hoare Asian Region

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Mrs J Priest

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DEVOLUTION OF POWERS

Research Department OAB 2/124 273 3342

DATE: 6 June 1985

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1. We spoke. I have also seen Hong Kong tel no 1071 of 5 June

2.

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I can find nothing on our files to indicate any special devolution of powers to Hong Kong during the negotiations on Britain's entry to the EEC, nor anything to indicate that such a devolution took place as a consequence of Britain's entry to the EEC. Miss McNess, in our Western and Southern European Section, looked at the question of the negotiations on EEC entry,

She is as they affected Hong Kong, in February of this year. not aware of any papers referring to a devolution of powers to Hong Kong. (I attach a copy of her minute of 20 February 1985 to Mr Richmond in ECD(E), which was not copied to you or to us at the time.)

3.

The only reference at all to the question which I have been able to discover took place during the then Secretary of State's press conference in Hong Kong in November 1972, following his visit to China. Sir Alec Douglas-Home was asked the following question:

"Are there going to be any problems posed by Britain's entry into the EEC in Hong Kong's dealings with Common Market countries on trade. Are we going to have to deal through Whitehall or the British representatives on the Common Market Commission, or will we still be able to deal directly with Europe?"

Sir Alex replied:

4.

"It is a matter of choice for the Hong Kong Government. I would have thought that the Hong Kong Government would be very wise to keep in close touch with British Government on this matter. Therefore I would hope that we will have close consultations with Hong Kong as to Hong Kong's interests in the wider European market. Certainly we would be very sympathetic in trying to handle matters so that Hong Kong gets full consideration when they are. talking about these very important commercial matters for the future."

I will be happy to look further at this question, if required, but this will take some time, since it will mean calling up papers from Library.

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JE Hoare