t he would be required to fill in a questionaire. He replied that he couldn't see he would have any difficulty in filling in a questionaire, and then he slipped outside and knocked nine bells out of the doorman.
I can think of no more certain way of ensuring that 100,000 people or 300,000 people will leave Hong Kong, than by putting their names on a list which says that they, rather than others, will be given the right of abode in the UK.
Can you imagine anyone staying behind in such circumstances, in the hope that some inquisitive State Security Official won't one day ask you to explain just why it was the British thought it necessary to include your name on a list of those who needed to be given the right of abode in Britain.
Let me remind you of what happened recently in the two Germanies when we were celebrating "the triumph of freedom" there. In order for freedom to triumph, it was essential that West Germany should offer the right of abode to all East Germans, that is, the holders of Passports issued by a different Government. What Hong Kong is asking for is the right of abode in the UK for holders of British Passports, people who share a common citizenship with us.
And when it became apparent that West Germany would be seriously imperilled if all to whom it had offered the right of abode were to take up the offer, the conclusion that was drawn was that this increased the necessity on West Germany to so exercise its diplomatic skills that it would become possible and acceptable for the people of East Germany to stay where they were.
And that is what the people of Hong Kong want.
If large numbers of Hong Kong people decide to leave, it will be because of a tragic failure in international diplomacy, and ultimately it will not be for the benefit of the people of Hong Kong.
In order to enable them to stay, and in order to ensure that British diplomacy deploys all its skills and experience towards ensuring the conditions which will allow the people of Hong Kong to stay with a reasonable degree of security and confidence, it will be necessary first of all to give them the right and ability to leave, and this must not be fudged by extending the right to only a limited and select number.
I am grateful, Vice President, for the opportunity of speaking to the Resolutions before the Assembly.
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