355
Debate on the Address
24 NOVEMBER 1989
Debate un (NG PERO Laika
10.23 am:
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stability
prospenty. Hong Kong's confidence in itself will be sgthened by assurances that its trading partners have a continuing interest in its future.
Mr. David Howell (Guildford): Will my hon. Friend confirm that the Chinese Basic Law drafting committee is to hold its final session before Christmas in about three weeks time, and that that session will include its final views on the pace of democratisation in Hong Kong after 199 Will be confirm that, if we wished to choose a different pace or to depan in any way from the committee's decision, we should have to take such steps in the next three weeks?
Mr. Hurd: We have a responsibility to decide on the arrangements for 1997, of course that is related to whatever appears in the basic law concerning arrange- ments following that date. The timing of our decision is therefore related to the timing of the basic law. When we have reached a conclusion, we shail of course inform the House and the people of Hong Kong. I want to visit Hong Kong in the new year, and I should prefer to do so after decisions on these matters have been made
announced
and
We will maintain our efforts on renaif of Hong Kong and its people. We will work patiently, intensivery and senourably to rebuild their conficence in a secure and prosperous future.
Mr. Dand Young (Bolton. South-East1: Have discussions touched on the night of the Chinese to station The People's Liberation Army -the principal Instrument
suppression-in Hong Kong Does the Foreign Secretary accept that their ability to do so is one of the causes of the lack of confidence that now exists in Hong Kong!
Mr. Hura: I am aware of the importance and sensiuvity of that issue. I would rather not give an answer off the cuff about what has occurred in the past, as I have not been persona:iv involved. but I sha: wnte to the hon. Gentleman about what is clearly a legitimate question.
I feel strongly that it is a notable privilege to stand here as Foreign Secretary at the Dispaten Box. That would be True at any time, but it is particularly true in this autumn of 1989. I hope that Europe's response to events whose drama we all feel has shown that we are not afraid of change. Certainly we want stab...ty, and feel that change must be orderly, but that does not mean singing to old assumptions. We are ready to modify our policies in the light of events, as we have done throughout the penod in which Mr. Gorbachev has directed the affairs of the Soviet Union. Our democratic insututions-NATO and the European Community—are strong enough to accom- modate and adapt to change: orderly change is our aily. New opportunities are opening up in Europe as a result of the peaceful changes in the East, and we are well placed to take those opportuniues. We are confident in our policies. .a our reiзuonships with our ailes and partsers and in se values on which all ese depezas.
198 CT Job 2-5
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Mr. Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton): I welcome the Foreign Secretary to his new post. He and I have faced each other across this table before, and I know that his greatest wish has been to reach the Foreign Office: I congratulate him on achieving his ambition.
11.
The right hon. Gentleman takes office at a time of great challenge, and of many hopes and opportunities-if those opportunities can only be grasped. Elsewhere, sadly, grievous problems remain intractable. The right hon. Gentleman has menucted one this morning-ite problem of the boat people in Hong Kong.
Having visited the boat people earlier this year. I recognise the sad and degrading circumstances in which they live; I recognise, too, that Hong Kong-being a territory of limited area-finds it difficult to keep suce large numbers for long. I have to say, however, that a policy of what the night hon. Gentleman has called involuntary repatriation, but what must more brutally be acknowledged as forcie repatriation, is not the right way in which to deal with the problem.
The right hon. Gentieman said that one reason why be believed that it might be necessary to resort to involuntary -or forcible-repattauon was that the people had co individual reason to fear political persecution. That is a comment on the nature of the Government in Vietnam, and is in direct contradisunction to the Government s atutuce is Vietnam so far. Their policy on Cambodia bas been to say that that Government are unacceptable because Vietnam put them in power. If people have so logical reason to be political refugees from Vietnam, a different approach to Vietnam is required-along with, I feel, a different approach to economic aid to that country.
The night hon. Gentleman referred to individual aid for Vietnamese boat people who return. Surely, however, he and his right ben. Friends should consider that if economic aid were provided in a sensible way for Vietnam. standards would be raised and the tendency for people to leave would be somewhat reduced. We need a phased and structured policy on the issue, rather than simply deciding that the only way in which to deal with the difficulties and embarrassment caused by the beat people in Hong Kong -which I acknowledge-is to bundie hem back to Vietnam.
In his opening remarks, the night hon. Gentleman referred to the assassination of the new President of Lebanon: that was the latest savage episode in the bloody history of that tormented country. Opposition Members regret the failure of the latest attempt by the Arab League to achieve a settlement. It confirms my fear that no solution to the travails of Lebanon-including the necessary withdrawal of all foreign troops-can be achieved without an overall middle east settlement The first step towards such a settlement could be tantalisingly close: my own taks with principal players in the drama, including a meeung with President Mubarak in Cairo last month. have convinced me that there is now a broad consensus on the need for talks to soive the Priestne problem-a necessary precursor to a general middle cast conference.
A.
The Labour Ministers in the Israe cabinet-whose
I courage
Palesune applaud-the
Liberation Organisation, e Egypuans and the Americans are ail moving towards acceptance of a common agenda. Only the Likud seccon of the Israeli Government are blocking
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