From:
The Archbishop of York
19th May 1992
Dear Mr Patten
As you may have noticed in the House of Lords debate on The Queen's speech, I took the opportunity to express a warm welcome for your appointment as Governor of Hong Kong and also to offer some brief advice which was intended to be helpful and friendly.
In recent years the churches in this country, working mainly through their ecumenical agencies, have developed a particular interest in Hong Kong largely at the request of the Hong Kong churches themselves which feel very vulnerable at the prospect of coming under Chinese rule. These churches, as you know, have for many years played a key role in maintaining social, educational and welfare services in the Colony so their concerns are not merely focussed on their own survival.
I am wondering therefore whether you might find it helpful to draw on some of the experience which has been gained in this country through our relationship with the Hong Kong churches. In particular, I a writing to ask whether you would be interested to meet a few of us who have been thus involved, and who could pass on some of the concerns which it might be harder for you to hear in such a direct fashion when you are actually in office.
I realize that, even if the idea appeals to you, we may run into enormous difficulty in finding time for this since I am sure your diary is as pressurized as mine, but the first step is to ask whether you would, in principle, welcome such contact. If you do then our secretaries can explore the practicalities.
Mr C Patten
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Downing Street
London SW1A 2AL
Yours sincerely
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