HC Deb 14 May 1984 vol 60 cc22-4W
Mr. Alex Carlile

asked the Secretary of Slate for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any proposals for the inclusion, in any settlement of the Hong Kong issue, of a written constitutional statement of fundamental freedoms for the people resident there.

Mr. Luce

We are working for a formal agreement with the Chinese Government which would preserve the way of life in Hong Kong, together with the freedoms which people in Hong Kong now enjoy.

Mr. Alex Carlile

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for securing the economic stability of Hong Kong until constitutional change takes place in 1997.

Mr. Luce

We believe that the most effective way of securing the economic stability of Hong Kong before and after 1997 is by seeking a negotiated agreement on the territory's future acceptable to Parliament, the Government of China and the people of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government have made it clear that they will continue to invest vigorously in the future of the territory and are formulating a development strategy to meet the long term needs of Hong Kong into the next century.

Mr. Alex Carlile

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for seeking to ensure that the people of Hong Kong are given the power to pass and amend basic laws applicable there after 1997, so as to enable Hong Kong to enjoy legal autonomy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Luce

Our approach to the talks with the Chinese Government on Hong Kong's future is to examine how it might be possible to arrive at arrangements which would secure for Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy after 1997 in the legal as well as in other fields.

Mr. Alex Carlile

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for seeking to ensure the international status of Hong Kong after 1997, with particular reference to the colony's status as a member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Luce

As my right hon. and learned Friend made clear in his statement in Hong Kong on 20 April, we are examining with the Government of China how it might be possible to arrive at arrangements that would secure for Hong Kong after 1997 a high degree of autonomy under Chinese sovereignty. Ensuring Hong Kong's continued participation in such international arrangements as GATT is one of the important matters which will have to be dealt with under such arrangements.

Mr. Alex Carlile

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for seeking to ensure that both the English and Chinese languages are officially recognised after 1997 for all purposes connected with the public service in Hong Kong.

Mr. Luce

I cannot go into detail about the content of the confidential negotiations with the Chinese Government on Hong Kong's future.

Mr. Alex Carlile

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for seeking guarantees for the implementation of any plan for the future of Hong Kong agreed upon between the Governments of the United Kingdom and China.

Mr. Luce

As my right hon. and learned Friend made clear in his statement in Hong Kong on 20 April, our objectives in the Sino-British negotiations on Hong Kong are a framework of arrangmeents that will provide for the maintenance of Hong Kong as a flourishing and dynamic society: and a binding agreement in which these arrengements will be formally recorded. I cannot go into detail about the content of these confidential negotiations.