TNAG-1878-FCO40-2669-Student-demonstrations-and-internal-political-situation-in-C-1989 — Page 5

MARACT(3)

Background

Reference

A : Foreign Secretary's statement on 6 June.

1. There has been growing political pressure for an early debate on the future of Hong Kong in view of the intense interest in the

forthcoming report of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee which is

expected to be published in July. This pressure is now all the

greater in the light of recent events in China.

2.

The Foreign Secretary made a detailed statement on events in

China and their implications for Hong Kong on 6 June. He made clear

that in the light of recent events the Government was looking

carefully at the scope for advancing the pace of democratisation in Hong Kong and at the scope for flexibility in operating our nationality and immigration policies.

3.

A number of MPs from all political parties have recently visited Hong Kong, including Mr Paddy Ashdown. Mr Ashdown has been pressing the Government to agree that all Hong Kong British passport holders should be granted right of abode in this country. The Government have so far taken the view that it would not be realistic to expect Parliament or the public to accept a massive new immigration

commitment of 3.28 million.