TNAG-1718-FCO40-2398-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 110

FROM: C JR MEYER, NEWS

DATE: 10 FEBRUARY 1988

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Mr McLaren Mr Hum, HKD Mr Teasdale Mr Fergusson Mrs Bottomley

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HONG KONG WHITE PAPER: BBC RADIO

1.

Following our conversation earlier this morning, I spoke to Ms Jenny Abramsky, Editor of News and Current Affairs at BBC Radio. Before I could complete my sentence complaining at the way the White Paper had been reported in successive early morning news bulletins, she cut in to say that she too had been "appalled" and had just finished an editorial meeting to ensure that later bulletins got it right. She made plain that she already understood that the government had made no commitment in 1984 to the introduction of direct elections in 1988; and that, therefore, it was wholly misleading to talk of any plan being deferred. However, for good measure, I took her through the relevant bits of the 1984 White Paper as well as what the Secretary of State said to the House in the Hong Kong Debate last month.

2.

To try to inoculate against BBC contagion, we have spoken to the No. 10 Press Office (it is important that if there is to be a PNQ this afternoon that the Lobby should not report it with BBC inaccuracies framing their approach); and I will also have spoken by the end of the morning to ITN and BBC TV.

C/R. Meye

CJR Meyer