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for this consideration, making eight weeks in all. He does
not make it clear whether this would include time for the
Order in Council to be made. But this is not very important.
Meetings of the Privy Council are held every 3 or 4 weeks
except in summer, and special meetings can be arranged.
We
can prepare a draft Order now and clear its legal aspects with
Hong Kong• It should then be possible for the Order to be made
shortly after Executive Council have been consulted. Moreover,
if in the event this entailed a delay of weeks, which would be
unjust to the prisoner, it would at any time be possible, though
less satisfactory, to make a public declaration that we intend
to change thw law.
9. If the recommendations in paragraph 6 are accepted, we
need not draft a DOPC paper now, since so much will depend on
the individual circumstances of the case and the political
situation at the time. We only need to agree the modalities
with the Hong Kong Government as requested in their telegram
No 840. I accordingly submit two draft telegrams to Hong Kong.
The department's legal adviser agrees.
10.
22 August 1973
Cc:
PS Mr Royle
PS/PUS
Sir V Evans
Mr Rushford Mr Champion
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CONFIDENTIAL
ACSE
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
Kumhuil for
24/%