TNAG-2169-FCO40-3106-House-of-Commons-Foreign-Affairs-Committee-inquiry-into-Hong-1990 — Page 61

China when it reforms.

Are you satisfied that we, the British, are well

entrenched and in a good position to develop and protect our interests in

Hong Kong and are not getting too sidestepped by our constitutional and

other duties while others are pushing in ahead with commercial improvement

for themselves?

(Mr Maude) Clearly there is always a danger in circumstances like this

that what you suggest might happen. We have to be very much involved and

our minds have to be very much on the sort of issues we have been

discussing this afternoon. We have to get those right. If we do not get

those right, then Hong Kong's future prosperity will be imperilled.

should also, as you suggest, have in mind the need for British interests in

Hong Kong to be properly represented both before 1997 and after 1997, and

that is something very much to the forefront of our minds.

79.

But we

Is that still best done, in your view, through the Senior

British Trade Commissioner, or can you tell us anything more about your

thoughts of enhancing the position further?

(Mr Maude) I think the British Trade Commission in Hong Kong has been

increasing both in size and in importance and I see that process

continuing. It is going to be very important that there should be a

substantial British presence in Hong Kong after 1997, and certainly we

doing a good deal to achieve that.

are

80.

Mr Wells

Have you yet found proper housing for the Trade Commissioner

both in office terms and in residential terms?

(Mr Maude) I am trying to think what the appropriate phrase to use in

these circumstances is

something like "being actively considered"

-

but

it is something that I have given a great deal of personal attention to,

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