ام
D
89
Hives. L. Hood, V.
Hooper. B.
HKB
Jenkin of Roding, L. Johnston of Rockport. L. Kaberry of Adel, L. Killearn, L. Knutsford. V.
Lucas of Chilworth, L. McFadzean. L.
Mackay of Clashfern, L.
Mancroft, L.
Margadale. L.
Marley, L.
Marshall of Leeds, L.
Maude of
Stratford-upon-Avon, L.
Merrivale, L. Mersey, V.
0+0/2
Hong
Montgomery of Alamein, V. Mottistone, L.
Nelson of Stafford. L. Norrie, L.
Nugent of Guildford, L. Oppenheim-Barnes. B. Oxfuird, V. Pender, L. Penrhyn. L. Prior, L.
Rankeillour. L.
Rees. L.
Renton, L.
Sanderson of Bowden, L. Skelmersdale, L.
Strathcarron, L.
Strathclyde, L.
Sudeley, L.
Suffield, L.
Terrington, L.
Teviot, L.
Thomas of Gwydir, L. Trafford, L.
Mowbray and Stourton, L.
Tranmire, L.
Ullswater, V.
Whitelaw, V.
Munster. E.
Murton of Lindisfarne, L. Nelson, E.
[ LORDS ]
Resolved in the affirmative, and amendment agreed to accordingly.
4.33 p.m.
The Earl of Dundee: My Lords. I beg to move that the House do now adjourn during pleasure.
Moved accordingly, and, on Question. Motion agreed to.
[The sitting was suspended from 4.33 to 4.36 p.m.]
Hong Kong
Lord Glenarthur: My Lords, with the leave of the House. I now repeat a Statement made in another place by my right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary. The Statement is as follows:
"With permission, Mr. Speaker. I shall make a Statement about Hong Kong, which I visited from 2nd to 4th July. I held extensive discussions with members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, with professional people, entrepreneurs. students and others.
"There can be no doubt that the appalling events in Peking have badly shaken confidence in Hong Kong. It is of the first importance that the Chinese Government take early, tangible and sustained. action to begin restoring confidence in China's intentions towards Hong Kong. We shall be pressing them strongly on this.
"There has been understandable pressure on this country to grant a right of abode to all British passport holders in Hong Kong. I had to explain that this House would not support an indefinite and open-ended commitment of that kind. It would test our capacity in all kinds of areas- housing, employment. transport, inner city. services on an unprecedented scale. The Select Committee on Foreign Affairs reached a similar conclusion.
"I was, however, able to assure the people of Hong Kong that we can and will take action in a number of fields. First, on the question of nationality, we want to enhance people's
Kong
33
1190
confidence to remain. We are working urgently on a scheme which will make some provision for people in both the private and public sectors on the basis not simply of connections with Britain but also the value of service to Hong Kong.
"Secondly, at the European Council in Madrid we alerted our Community partners to Hong Kong's problems. I am also in direct touch with the other countries which will attend next week's Economic Summit in Paris. We shall continue. there and elsewhere to mobilise the support of the international community.
"Thirdly, I was able to confirm as common ground that the joint declaration, with its prospect of the greatest possible autonomy, remains the best foundation for Hong Kong's future. We have identified a number of ways in which Hong Kong's traditions of freedom can be further protected. In particular there is scope for reviewing the rate of progress towards representative government. In this, the wishes of the people of Hong Kong will continue to be fundamental to our approach. We also favour a Bill of Rights entrenching essential freedoms. The Hong Kong Government are announcing today that they will introduce such a Bill as soon as possible. It will form part of the existing law and be able to continue after the transfer of sovereignty. We shall also take up with the Chinese Government two matters of special concern-Article 18 of the draft Basic Law, which could enable the central government in Peking to declare a state of emergency in Hong Kong after 1997, and, even more important, the question of the stationing in Hong Kong of Chinese military forces.
"Events in China have overshadowed Hong Kong's most immediate practical problem: how to cope with the 48,000 boat people who have found shelter there. I visited two of the camps housing boat people and saw the screening of new arrivals now being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
"The Hong Kong Government and people have dealt magnificently with an appalling problem. But Hong Kong is being overwhelmed by the sheer weight of numbers. The vast majority of those reaching Hong Kong are not political refugees. They have no hope of being accepted for resettlement anywhere else in the world. Hong Kong cannot offer then a home or a livelihood.
"At the recent conference in Geneva. resettlement pledges were made for all those who qualify as refugees. The report of the Select Committee recognised that it is intolerable for those who do not qualify as refugees to have to spend years in camps. Their only future lies back. home. I have discussed this problem with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister both in Geneva and in London. Official talks are continuing. I am hopeful that we shall be able to find a solution which enables boat people to return to Vietnam in safety and dignity.
"Hong Kong's predicament reflects the facts of its history and geography. These are inescapable. But, in approving the joint declaration, this House
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