SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret
Secret
DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
further developments in China, we shall be considering
the programme for discussions in the Joint Liaison
Group.
Confidential
Restricted
Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
It is entirely natural that the events of the past
few weeks should have affected attitudes in Hong Kong
towards the development of fully democratic institutions.
Although it is too soon to draw firm conclusions, I can
assure the House that we will be carefully reviewing our
plans in the light of the new situation which has arisen.
In Confidence
Another concern in Hong Kong to which we must respond
is the protection of human rights. I will be discussing
urgently with the Governor of Hong Kong what further
steps might be taken to reassure Hong Kong people,
including the enactment of a Bill of Rights in Hong Kong
as soon as is practicable.
I am nevertheless acutely conscious of the wish of
people in Hong Kong to secure some form of ultimate
assurance for themselves and their families. The
Government are certainly not indifferent to these
understandable concerns. But I sense that it would
not be realistic to expect Parliament, or the country
as a whole, to support any proposal which involved a
massive new immigration commitment by this country. That
would run counter to the views expressed by successive
Parliaments over the past 25 years. That said, I deeply
sympathise with the people of Hong Kong, particularly at
this worrying time. The Government will be considering
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