§ 29. Dr. Brayasked the Lord Privy Seal what progress has been made in the Common Market negotiations to safeguard the vital trading interests of Hong Kong; and whether he accepts a special responsibility for Hong Kong as a wholly dependent territory.
§ Mr. HeathAs I reported after the August ministerial meeting, the Community has agreed to work out, before Britain's entry into the Community, appropriate measures for Hong Kong in the field of trade relations. Officials are now pursuing this question. We accept a special responsibility for Hong Kong as a wholly dependent territory.
§ Dr. BrayIs the Lord Privy Seal aware that the people of Hong Kong fear that there may be a conflict of interests between themselves and the United Kingdom Government? Will he consider sending a Minister to Hong Kong to explain the Government's view of what they are trying to achieve and to listen to local representations.
§ Mr. HeathI will certainly consider the hon. Gentleman's suggestion, because I know of his close interest in Hong Kong. In fact the Government of Hong Kong have sent their representatives here frequently in the last few months for consultation with us. They have also been to Brussels. I and other Ministers in the Government have received a delegation from Hong Kong so that we could have a full discussion about the problems.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanWhatever may be thought in Middlesbrough, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that Hong Kong's foreign trading relations are of vital concern to Lancashire, and will he accept at least as high a degree of special responsibility for Lancashire as he accepts for Hong Kong?
§ Dr. BrayIs the Lord Privy Seal aware that the balance of trade between Hong Kong and this country is very much in deficit and that Hong Kong imports a great deal more from the United Kingdom than its exports to the United Kingdom? Is he further aware that the Hong Kong representative at Brussels is a Government official, appointed in fact by the United Kingdom Government, and so is not able to speak in public? Will he take steps to secure that there are spokesmen for Hong Kong who are free to make statements to the Press?
§ Mr. HeathThe delegation which came to London to discuss these matters with us was composed only in part, in a minority, of officials. They were accompanied by others from Hong Kong, who were traders, manufacturers, and so on. They are perfectly free to express their views to the Press. Indeed, they did so after their discussions in London with us.