TNAG-2625-FCO40-3816-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1992 — Page 46

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consular protection when travelling abroad.

However in China there is a problem because the government of the PRC regards them as Chinese nationals.

- In the case of dual nationals it would not normally be our practice to seek to exercise consular protection on behalf of British nationals in the country of their other nationality.

Nevertheless, where we have grounds for doing so, we are willing

to approach the Chinese authorities. We have done so repeatedly in the cases of Hong Kong residents detained in China for political offences. All have, as far as we are aware, now been released.

- We will continue to take up such cases in future. But people intending to visit the PRC should respect the laws of that country.

QUESTIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS:

(E) MARTIN LEE WILL ASK "WHETHER MR PATTEN REPRESENTS THE

VIEWS OF THE PRIME MINISTER, AS REPORTED BY SOME MEDIA WHICH

CLAIM THAT PM HAD MADE THIS STATEMENT TO LI PENG"

Mr Patten has said several times that, on matters of Hong Kong policy, he, the Prime Minister and I stand together. And, in his memorable phrase, "you cannot put so much as a piece of tissue paper between us".

-

Of course, this does not mean that he will not stand up for Hong Kong he has said plainly that that is his first

priority; what it does mean is that when he speaks to the Chinese Government on Hong Kong policy, he does so with the

full authority of the Prime Minister and the Foreign

Secretary.

sos.omelco.PR

SLM

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