TNAG-1722-FCO40-2415-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1988 — Page 82

HKB 011/3

RECEIVE

29 JUL 1988

INDES

etwzgl

Dear Geoffrey,

THE RT. HON. DAVID HOWELL, M.P.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SWIA 0AA

18th July 1988

see 1621

DAck 2 tks

633

for a draft sofs reply by 28/2

Sets

Ps/corded ever its

inquemore

M Mclaren

Mr Teasdale PRU

Possensixor

Regrettably, I could not be present for the Hong Kong

debate on Friday, as I was

scheduled to do the official opening APS of the Surrey Technology Centre at Guildford and it just could not be thrown over. However, I would not like my absence to be interpreted as showing lack of concern about the developments in Hong Kong.

I have read what both you and Tim Eggar said in the debate very closely, with much measure of agreement. You rightly mention some aspects of the basic draft law which need looking at closely and express the hope that the drafters "will listen to these concerns". My own view, if I may offer it in the margins of the debate, is that you need to go somewhat further than that. Whilst I am the first to appreciate the need for the best relations with Beijing, there comes a point when visible acts of reassurance are necessary that we are just not going to leave it all to Chinese good intentions. I would therefore be in support of a distinct firming of the public tone in addressing Beijing on the key issues of the protection and definition of autonomy, the guarantees of essential rights and other central points which are familiar to you.

20

'7'

With best wishes.

Yours ever,

вий

The Rt. Hon. Sir Geoffrey Howe, Q.C., M.P.,

Foreign Secretary,

Foreign and Commonwealth Office,

Whitehall,

London, SW1A 2AH.