TNAG-2709-FCO40-3915-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 166

Dr. Lutelts, HKD

Thanks. The surdin v билиг Sante mud the

for rare Sewerag и бешения The Miniter

agrees.

Mr

Hym

6.5.

ravinl

5. Doney 9/3

Mm1/3

PS/Mr Goodlad Minister

Private Secretary

FROM: И

10

Park Rels Storm 2 State (49) (acoponted in forde)

-9 MAR 1993

PF Ricketts

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 8 March 1993

CC:

PRU (plus supplementaries)

HKB 011/6

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

OL APR

1993

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

3

A

B

C

FCO ORAL QUESTIONS:

10 MARCH: HONG KONG

1. I have sent to PRU revised supplementaries for the oral PQ from Mr Roger Sims, which the Secretary of State will be answering as No 4.

2.

The Secretary of State may wish to be aware of two lines of criticism which are running in the UK press, echoed in Hong Kong, and which may surface in supplementaries:

3.

-

That the Governor's statement to LegCo on 5 March explaining the delay in publishing his draft legislation represents a kow-tow and that Britain and China may seek to strike a deal behind the back of LegCo (Observer editorial attached; Dr Jeremy Bray MP has written expressing similar concerns: also attached).

That the FCO has forced the Governor to delay, and that he has threatened to resign if his proposals are undermined (Guardian article attached).

Against that background, I think it would be very helpful in Hong Kong if the Secretary of State could underline in his substantive reply our support for the Governor's proposals. I therefore submit a revised answer.

PF Ricketts