154
GPS 170
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 1909 30 Z
*
FM HONG KONG 190652Z MAR 81
CONFIDENTIAL
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 305 OF 19 MARCH
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON
Hick 3401,
RECOTYLE ASSY NO. 51 23 MAR 1981
156
BESK OFICER
INDEX
PA
RESTRY Actor, Takeni
مل
81.4.
Pas $15
YOUR TELNO 258: NATIONALITY BILL: PQ.
See (155
1. WE PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING ANSWER: QUOTE CONSULTATION WITH HONG KONG TOOK PLACE THROUGH THE GOVERNOR BEFORE AND AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER WHICH WAS WIDELY PUBLICISED IN THE TERRITORY. IN ADDITION REPRESENTATIONS ON THE BILL HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNOR'S UNOFFICIAL ADVISERS SINCE ITS PRESENTATION. THESE HAVE
BEEN DISCUSSED IN MEETINGS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND MINISTERS AND THE POINTS WHICH HAVE BEEN RAISED ARE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMEN OPEN SQUARE BRACKETS ONCE THESE POINTS ARE CLEARED I HOPE THAT THE BILL WILL BE GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE TO HONG KONG CLOSE SQUARE BRACKETS. UNQUOTE.
2. IN THE CURRENT STAGE OF THE DISCUSSIONS AND UNTIL THEIR OUTCOME
IS CLEARER IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO INCLUDE THE PORTION IN SQUARE BRACKETS. IN ANY EVENT I WOULD REGARD IT AS PREMATURE TO USE THE
WORDS ..
I BELIEVE'' AND SUGGEST '' I HOPE''.
3. WE WOULD SEE ADVANTAGE IN MAKING SOME REFERENCE TO WHAT IS BEING SOUGHT, IF MINISTERS AGREED, BUT WE WOULD WISH TO SEE THE PASSAGE PROPOSED IN YOUR PARA 3 AMENDED BY INSERTING QUOTE NOMENCLATURE AND UNQUOTE AFTER THE WORD CONCERN.
MACLEHOSE
LIMITED HK&GD
NTD
MR DONALD
MR ADAMS
CONFIDENTIAL