TNAG-1896-FCO40-2690-Calls-on-Francis-Maude--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1989 — Page 97

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[ 29 JUNE 1989 ]

| Brabazon of Tara: My Lords, I think I have Sand as much about Parkland Walk as I can.

3.12 p.m.

Hong Kong

Lord Eden of Winton asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have had consultations with other members of the Commonwealth and the European Community, and with the United States of America, concerning the future of the citizens of Hong Kong in the light of recent events in China.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur): My Lords, we have already spoken to our EC partners, to Commonwealth governments and to the United States. We will continue to urge the wider international community to join us in doing everything possible to restore the confidence of people in Hong Kong following the deplorable events in China.

Lord Eden of Winton: My Lords, while I thank my nobe friend for that reply, can he be more precise as to the objectives of the talks? In his reply to the debate in this House on 21st June my noble friend made a number of references to mobilising the international community and to concerting action closely in the event of a major crisis affecting Hong Kong after 1997. Is it the purpose of these talks that the Government are now holding to prepare now for the sort of swift, effective and sympathetic action that would be necessary in the event of such a crisis overtaking Hong Kong later in this decade?

Lord Glenarthur: My Lords, we must be very careful to distinguish between the worst possible case-the Armageddon scenario which we discussed during that debate-and the present circumstances. While those circumstances are worrying, they are certainly far from catastrophic. What is needed now is for the international community to rally round Hong Kong in order to help restore its confidence. I am afraid I cannot provide the precise details which my noble friend seeks.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos: My Lords, we welcome the knowledge that consultations have taken place with our EC partners and with our friends in the Commonwealth. However, can the noble Lord say something about the nature of those consultations? With whom precisely have they taken place? What proposals, if any, were put on that occasion? For example, was the matter the subject of discussion at the summit in Madrid? We welcome also the knowledge that the noble Lord's right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary is visiting Hong Kong next Sunday. Can the noble Lord tell the House whether he goes with specific proposals or to listen?

Lord Glenarthur: My Lords, my right honourable and learned friend will certainly be going to listen. That is the prime purpose of his visit. As regards

Kong

detailed proposals, I hope that the noble Lord will understand that it would not be realistic for other countries to make specific commitments of any sort in what, after all, is a vacuum at the moment. Clearly they would want to take into account all the circumstances that might be pertinent at the time. We are not yet at that point, and I sincerely hope that we will not reach it. It would be right to prepare the ground, and the discussions taking place are general discussions which have elicited a great deal of sympathy; but no firm planning can take place in the vacuum to which I referred.

In regard to Madrid, yes, my right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary discussed these matters with EC colleagues during the Council meeting in Madrid. The European Council conclusions drew attention to the great anxiety caused in Hong Kong by the recent events in China.

Lord Wyatt of Weeford: My Lords, will the Minister warn his right honourable and learned friend that the situation in Hong Kong--the low morale and the brain drain-is deteriorating far faster than is understood in Whitehall? Unless the Foreign Secretary goes with something really positive to say he may well be in danger of being lynched.

Lord Glenarthur: My Lords, I am aware, and my right honourable and learned friend is aware, that he goes to Hong Kong at a time of great anxiety. Nevertheless, it is extremely important that he goes there to hear the views expressed to him directly by the Hong Kong people.

Lord Bonham-Carter: My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that any contingency plans depend on a hypothetical situation? Does not the noble Lord agree that what we were discussing on 21st June was a hypothetical case of the worst kind? Is it not therefore necessary to discuss seriously contingency plans to meet that situation should it occur? If we were able to make such plans it would provide precisely the reassurance that the inhabitants of Hong Kong require in order to stop the present mass emigration.

Lord Glenarthur? My Lords, I think the noble Lord is in a sense muddling two different aspects. One is the need to try to restore confidence in Hong Kong so that those who make Hong Kong so prosperous remain there. The second aspect is what to do if things ultimately go wrong. As I said, general discussions on that possibility have already taken place and have elicited sympathy. No doubt they will continue. I said on 21st June that if the worst comes to the worst and the future position in Hong Kong becomes untenable, the British government would be clearly under a strong moral obligation to act; and no doubt the international community would be mobilised to do what the noble Lord seeks.

Lord Renton: My Lords, as there are eight years between now and 1997, and a great deal could happen during that time, is it not premature for detailed discussions with other countries or the making of firm decisions? Could not that tactfully