TNAG-1753-FCO40-2473-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 32

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HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE: 10 JUNE

STATEMENT BY LORD GLENARTHUR

1.

I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn, for giving this House a further opportunity to discuss developments in Hong Kong. Our responsibility for Hong Kong and its future is a matter of the highest priority for Her Majesty's Government; my rt hon and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs made that plain when he visited the territory only last week.

2.

Today's debate has served to underline the continuing interest and concern for Hong Kong which is felt by members of your Lordships' House. It has also demonstrated an impressively high level of understanding and knowledge of Hong Kong's current preoccupations.

These are messages which will I am sure be well

received in Hong Kong.

3.

The motion draws attention to recent developments relating to the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong. Speakers in the debate have focussed on the publication by China of the draft Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. I shall do the same. But first I propose to touch briefly on two other aspects, namely progress in the work of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group and the development of representative government. I shall also mention the recent influx to Hong Kong of large numbers of boat people from Vietnam. Speakers in the debate have expressed great concern about this, which the Government fully share.

4.

The work of the Joint Liaison Group is proceeding steadily and smoothly. As noble Lords know, its main functions are consultation on the implementation of the Joint Declaration and discussion of matters relating to the smooth transfer of government in 1997. In the three years of its existence it has achieved a great deal. Much of its subject matter is undramatic, technical, even dry. But all of it is important in giving substance to Hong Kong's future and certainty to Hong Kong people.

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