§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the present morale in the public service and the police in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceYes. Members of the public service in Hong Kong (which includes the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and other disciplined services) are understandably concerned about the outcome of the talks on the future of the territory. But they are continuing to show a great sense of responsibility in the performance of their daily duties.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if a joint Anglo-Chinese working group is to be set up on the question of the future of Hong Kong.
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§ Mr. LuceIt was announced on 13 June by us and the Chinese Government that a working group would be established in Peking to consider documents submitted by the two sides in pursuit of their objective of reaching agreement as soon as possible on the question of Hong Kong. The group began work on 21 June and meets full-time between formal rounds of the talks.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning possible civil disorder in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceA number of representations that we have received from members of the public about Hong Kong have referred to the possibility of civil disorder. We and the Hong Kong Government are firmly committed to honouring our responsibility for maintaining law and order in the territory.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there are plans to change the colour or format of Hong Kong passports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyNone at present. However, when the United Kingdom introduces the common format passport, it will be open to dependent territories, including Hong Kong, to adopt a common format style passport, but without the European markings, if they wish to do so.