00000
From: The Rt. Hon. Edward Heath, M.B.E., M.P.
DAck ® Has for
aroys sops
repiny by 2/3
HOUSE OF COMMONS
to February 1988
in consult andes
MVD.
Sam Geoffery
154
PS/Lord Gleverthr
PS /mr Eggar
Mr Gulmore Mr McLaren Miss Pesteu
I am grateful to you for briefing me on the White Paper on Representative Government in
PRJ
Hong Kong before my recent visit to the Territory. Teasdale'
11 Ressen Dixorl
I had an interesting time in Hong Kong and was well received by Government House. I met a number of very capable, young, professional Chinese who expressed their frustration and bitterness to me about the lack of swifter progress towards direct elections. I have no doubt that many of the younger, well-educated people of Hong Kong are eager to assume greater responsibility for their own future. As I said quite plainly to Xu Jiatun, I hope the next few years do not see an increasing exodus from Hong Kong as the professional class become disillusioned with their prospects. I believe it will be very difficult to maintain confidence if the dynamic middle-class come to believe that they will have no control over their destiny after 1997.
Since I returned from Hong Kong, a number of people have asked me what the position is over the many successful Hong Kong Chinese who wish to leave Hong Kong and work in this country. I would be grateful if you would brief me on the present immigration and employment position.
APS
33/2.
Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe, QC MP The Secretary of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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