5.
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The Governor stressed that opinion in Hong Kong was strongly in favour of the measures and the security forces, previously luke- warm, were now in favour. He thought that hṭere was a very good chance of making themeasures effective, particularly if he were able to inform the Chinese Commanding General in Guangdong of the plans a short time in advance in order to get his cooperation in a joint effort against the illegals.
6.
Mr Blaker asked about current arrangements for identity cards. The Governor explained that every adult now in theory possessed one. At present carriage was not generally compulsory except in certain areas in the New Territories which were relatively uninhabited and where hikers and holidaymakers had to carry cards.
7.
Sir E Youde asked how the Governor saw the relative timing between announcement and the taking effect of the measures. The Governor explained that there would be periods of grace, probably about 3 days before the compulsory carriage of identity cards was enforced and a week before it became illegal to employ anyone without an identity card.
8.
The Governor said that he proposed to review the situation when he returned to Hong Kong in the second week of August and to make a recommendation on the timing of implementation after consulting the Executive Council. Mr Blaker said that the Secretary of State should be asked whether he would prefer implementation to take place before or after his visit to the Far East. It was agreed that the Department would submit to the Secretary of State.
9. The Governor made the point that he would need to be able to tell the Executive Council that when the decision on timing was made Hong Kong would have the full support of the FCO. If it were decided to wait until the Secretary of State's visit it would obviously be better from Hong Kong's point of view if a telegram could be sent from Peking while Lord Carrington was still there, enabling implementation to go ahead. He also asked that, when a submission was made to the Secretary of State, a provision could be made for emergency implementation at short notice if the situation deteriorated rapidly. Mr Blaker agreed.
Distribution:
PS/Mr Blaker
Sir E Youde
HKGD
FED
Acting Governor Hong Kong
HM Ambassador Peking
CONFIDENTIAL