TNAG-1418-FCO40-1901-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 7

CONFIDENTIAL

D

5.

I therefore do not think we can afford to accept the Home

Secretary's response

response as adequate. I recommend that the Secretary of State should minute back explaining this, and asking for an early

meeting. The object of such a meeting would be to see whether the

Home Secretary is prepared to show any flexibility on a continuing

commitment, even if he cannot be persuaded to accept a particular

number per annum.

6.

or

In the light of such a meeting we can consider whether there is any scope for reaching agreement directly with the Home Secretary,

whether we should take the issue to a wider Cabinet forum. This

issue is politically explosive in Hong Kong: failure to fight hard

to secure an adequate discharge of HMG's moral and constitutional

responsibilities will have serious consequences in Hong Kong for EXCO and public confidence in HMG, and in my view could well wash

over into other areas of Hong Kong policy.

7.

Meanwhile we are receiving pressing enquiries from the Hong Kong Government, since it is now becoming known in Hong Kong that

there may be a delay in replying to SCORRI. We need to

tell them

urgently what the position is, but should recognise that anything

which is said to EXCO may well become public in Hong Kong. I submit

a draft telegram.

8.

I have discussed this with Dr Wilson, who agrees.

Jimy

R

17 July 1985

written

A C Galsworthy

Hong Kong Department

PS We have just heard from Home Office officials that Clive Soley MP has put down for /reply by Mr Waddingtom a PQ asking when the Home Office will reply to SCORRI. То ensure that SCORRI is formally advised before

announcement is made in Parliament, Mr Waddington will now be writing to k in the next few days.

an

Mr. wheeler

CONFIDENTIAL