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Oral Answers
6 JUNE 1989
Cuellar, the Secretary-General of the United Nations China is, of course, a permanent member of the Security Council. Everyone has expressed outrage, horror and total and utter condemnation, and each country, both separately and jointly with others, is thinking of how best to demonstrate that in practical terms to the Chinese Government.
Mr. John Marshall: During the course of her busy day. will my right hon. Friend examine the recent surveys which show that the postal services have deteriorated? Does she agree that the only way in which to improve the quality of the postal services is by the introduction of greater competition?
The Prime Minister: I am aware of some of the complaints on this matter. I agree that greater competition would be good, and we may have to consider ending the monopoly on the postal letter service, which would bring welcome competition.
Q2. Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 6 June.
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
Mr. Howarth: Is the Prime Minister aware that following the recent spate of serious accidents involving dogs the people of Britain expect the Government to take some action? In view of that, will she give serious consideration to the schemes advanced by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Association of District Councils?
The Prime Minister: I am aware of the great concern about this matter and of some of the proposals that have been made. Although some of them are undoubtedly very interesting, they would not go to the root of the problem, which is not necessarily a question of identifying the owner of the dog but of trying to persuade people to be very responsible about their ownership.
There are already powers to control dangerous dogs. The Dogs Act 1871 provides that any member of the public can tell the police if he or she believes that any dog is dangerous. A magistrate can then issue an order for any dog to be controlled or destroyed. [Interruption.] The question is whether we need to strengthen the legislation and how we catch the people who are not being responsible about owning dogs. It is easier to pose the problem than it is to catch and severely punish the offenders.
Mr. Beaumont-Dark: Does my right hon. Friend accept that in these difficult times with the Chinese problem the people of Hong Kong have every right to feel that the word of a Government who are willing to murder their own people is a word that may well be doubted? Does my right hon. Friend agree that the time has come for Britain at least to give Hong Kong a democratic government and tell the Chinese Government that if they do not honour that. they will honour nothing, and that we shall not honour any pledges given to them?
The Prime Minister: Under the declaration signed with the Government of China, we are now negotiating the Basic Law and when that is complete, we are steadily introducing an increasing amount of democratic govern- ment into Hong Kong, with the view that, by the time 1997 comes, there will be an absolutely smooth changeover,
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Oral Answers
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with fuil democracy, so that the agreement can be fully implemented that for 50 years after 1997 the people shall have the same system as they have now, a free democratic system, with substantially the same way of life. Obviously, whatever the declaration says, the confidence of the people of Hong Kong will be very severely jolted at present. for very understandable reasons. Without that agreement. which should bring the people of Hong Kong a much better chance than they would have without it. 92 per cent. of the land would automatically revert to the People's Republic of China, without the associated benefits that we have negotiated for the people of Hong Kong.
Mr. Ashdown: The Prime Minister's words of a moment ago will be welcome. but does she realise that, in comparison with the words of President Bush, her muted response immediately following the massacre in Peking will be regarded by many as a matter of shame? Is she aware that, in comparison with the attitude of the Portuguese Government to their citizens in Macau her complete denial of moral responsibility after 1997 for those in Hong Kong who hold British passports will be regarded by many as a matter of dishonour?
The Prime Minister: The statement that I issued said: "We are all deeply shocked by the news from Peking and appalled by the indiscriminate shooting of unarmed people. It is a reminder that, despite some recent casing of East-West tensions, a very great gulf remains between the democratic and the Communist societies. We view these events in Peking with particular concern because of our responsibility for Hong Kong—
Mr. Ashdown: Concern?
Mr. Speaker: Order.
The Prime Minister:
"and our obligation--which we share with the Chinese Government under the joint declaration-to safeguard Hong Kong's future stability and prosperity." There were two more paragraphs which, as I said earlier, said that we were shocked and appalled at such indiscriminate killing.
The right hon. Gentleman stands up and makes a great deal of noise, but is it his only suggestion that we should accept 3-6 million people into this country regardless of the consequences?
Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop: Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the possibility of this problem arising was foreseen more than 20 years ago when we passed the Commonwealth immigration legislation? Would it not be quite heartless to hold out the hope to almost 4 million people that the solution to their problems lies in emigrating to the United Kingdom?
The Prime Minister: Currently 3.5 million people in Hong Kong hold British dependant territory citizens' passports. Since 1945 there have been 1.6 million emigration, to Britain from the New Commonwealth. I cite those figures to show the enormity of the task. Obviously some people, especially those who have worked in certain positions for the British Crown, already have preference in securing British passports.
I agree with my hon. Friend that it would not be right to suggest that 3-5 million people should automatically have the right of abode in this country.
Q3. Mr. Duffy: To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 6 June.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.