SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
Hong kong continues to have to shoulder the heavy burden
of the boat people.
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PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
The debate took place one month after the events of
3/4 June in China and one day after the former Foreign
Secretary's visit to the territory. Feelings were
running high, particularly on the right of abode issue.
The recommendations of the Foreign Affairs Committee
Report about right of abode were a further blow to morale
in Hong Kong. It is therefore understandable that much
of the criticism expressed by Members in the debate
should have been focussed on Britain at that time. There
is however some evidence that life in Hong Kong is
beginning to return to normal, and although people there
remain deeply anxious about the future, emotions are not
as intense as they were at the time of the Legislative
Council debate.
We will be responding formally to the Foreign Affairs
Committee's report in the autumn. In the meantime, there
is no need for the Prime Minister to send a detailed
response to the various points raised by the Legislative
Council on the Report. The draft reply is therefore
couched in general terms and sets out the Government's
position on the main issues on lines which the Prime
Minister has already approved.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.