Mr Rushford
Legal AdvisenUSHFORD
SECRET
Reference
он
HKK 040/1
29 JUL 1980
(65)
42
CV
D & E
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND NEW TERRITORIES, LEADE
PY
Tex
Way Aw 1918
1. Please refer to your exchange of minutes on 12 June with Mr Webb. The Secretary of State will need to be thoroughly briefed on the question of leases for his visit to China in September when he is bound to say something to the Chinese Government about it.
2.
ee(71)
73P
You will see from the Political Adviser's letter of 10 July that the present Attorney-General of Hong Kong takes a view different to that of his predecessor - and to FCO legal opinion on the issue of leases extending beyond 1997. At their meeting on 14 July, Mr Blaker agreed with the Governor that Mr Griffiths should meet FCO Legal Advisers and representatives of the Lord Chancellor's Office in order to try and reach an agreed legal view. This would be prior to a meeting between Sir E Youde, the Governor and HM Ambassador, Peking, in the FCO on 6 August. Mr Griffiths, who will be on home leave, is available on 1 August and I should be grateful if a meeting could be arranged for that day. May I leave it to you to invite and brief the Lord Chancellor's Office? HKGD will be represented. Ideally, the meeting will produce a short agreed paper on the legal aspects of the leases issue for consideration by senior officials on 6 August.
3.
By way of further background, I attach the Governor's letter of 7 July and Peking telegram No.472. Mr Webb should be able to let you have back papers concerning the previous Attorney- General's view on leases.
If 1 August is acceptable, I should like to warn Mr Griffiths by telegram early next week.
4.
CODE 18-77
SS 8/78
18 July 1980
Cc: FED
1. Morrice
P Morrice
Hong Kong and General Department K247
233 4381
/Mr Morrice
SECRET