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proposal on the spot, to speak to the Unofficial Members of the
Executive Council. Sir M MacLehose is confident that if he does
this they will agree and that the procedure will enable them to
get their views off their chests right away.
6.
There are two problems about the Governor's suggestion:
a) The risk of a leak. However, I agree with Sir M MacLehose
that this is slight and would not cause us serious problems.
There has been so much 'authoritative' speculation already
that we can continue to withhold comment for another
week or so.
b) The possibility of other Dependent Territories getting
to hear of the consultative action in Hong Kong. At present
only Bermuda enjoys any form of advance consultation, with
the Premier. Again, I think the risk is small and
acceptable. The Governor should, of course, impress on
the Unofficials the importance, for Hong Kong's own sake,
of keeping the means of consultation secret and if anything
gets out no harm would be done by Ministers saying that
'proper soundings were taken'.
Min
4 December 1981
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
Si & Youde aques.
было
خسها
Vidare lava
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