TNAG-1413-FCO40-1889-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-report-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 268

CONFIDENTIAL

1. I share the Department's view that a report on the

lines suggested by Hong Kong would appear very indigestible

to Parliament. The alternative proposed in the draft

telegram would be better for Parliamentary use. But it

will involve a good deal of extra work for Hong Kong.

2. If we can, it would be best to avoid an annual debate

on Hong Kong. Such a debate would inevitably be an occasion

for much probing about the activities of the Joint Liaison

Group whose affairs can most effectively be conducted

without the searchlight of publicity. If the report is

prepared as a White Paper on the lines suggested it would

however, I think, be advisable for it to be presented

by making a Ministerial statement which would provide

the opportunity for a limited amount of questioning.

3.

+

I see no harm in the Governor returning for the

occasion if he sees a local political need to do so. It

would clearly be useful if he saw the Anglo/Hong Kong

Parliamentary Group at the same

same time. I suspect that UMELCO

will also want to get in on the act. As always, a visit by

a UMELCO group will need careful handling and may not be

entirely helpful. We should find out whether the Governor

anticipates a demand to come. I have added a sentence to the

telegram accordingly. If UMELCO want to come for the

presentation of the report we cannot, of course, stop them. Nor would it be sensible to try.

4 September 1985

CONFIDENTIAL

D C Wilson