§ 2. Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the discussions in Peking about the future of Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Francis Pym)Following the visit by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to China in September, meetings to discuss the future of Hong Kong have begun through diplomatic channels in Peking and are continuing. For reasons that will be obvious to hon. Members, the content of these meetings must remain confidential. Their agreed aim is the maintenance of the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.
§ Mr. Brocklebank-FowlerI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Will he confirm that an urgent objective in the talks must be the restoration of international confidence in Hong Kong and in its currency?
§ Mr. PymWe wish to maintain confidence in Hong Kong and prepare the way for maintaining it beyond 1997 when the lease of the New Territories ends.
§ Mr. Hal MillerDoes my right hon. Friend understand the sense of insecurity felt in Hong Kong because it is not possible to divulge anything so far about the process of the discussions? In that context, has consideration yet been given to the arrangements for consulting the people of Hong Kong on the outcome of the discussions?
§ Mr. PymInternational negotiations are not normally brought to a successful conclusion unless they have been conducted in confidentiality. I think that the people of Hong Kong understand that. We are aware of their anxiety about the future. What matters is that our talks with the Chinese should be brought to a successful conclusion. We are closely in touch with the Government and other important figures in Hong Kong, and I wish to make it clear that the views of the people of Hong Kong will be taken fully into account in our talks with the Chinese.
§ Mr. AdleyDoes my right hon. Friend agree that some of the uncertainty in Hong Kong is caused by the people of the colony who have deluded themselves into believing that there will be a quick and easy answer to the problem? We all hope and intend to do our best to ensure that a solution is arrived at as quickly as possible, but will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that nothing will be done that will be detrimental or harmful to our relations with the People's Republic, which in the long run are more important to the House and the country than our relations with Hong Kong?
§ Mr. PymWe are seeking to achieve the continuation of the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, which is important to the people of Hong Kong and to China. It is important also that the talks in which we are engaged should produce a successful result, and Her Majesty's Government are doing everything possible to that end.