00 HONG KONG DESKEY 02010OZ
GRS 170
SECRET
DESKBY 02010OZ
FM FCO 011450Z MAY 81
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 497 OF 1 JUNE
SECRET
TOP COPY
12617
HIR 34011 нки
RECEIVED PASTRY NO. 51
-
JUN 1981
DESK OFFICER
WDEX
صارع
PA
449316
FOR GOVERNOR FROM YOUDE
YOUR TELNO 532: BRITISH NATIONALITY BILL
WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH UNOFFICIALS
AND ENCOURAGED BY YOUR TEL UNDER REF.
1.
2.
WE INTEND TO RECOMMEND THAT A REPLY TO SIR S Y CHUNG'S
LETTER SHOULD ISSUE AFTER THE THIRD READING BUT BELIEVE IT
WOULD BE UNWISE TO LINK THE TIMING DIRECTLY TO THIS IN SPEAKING TO UNOFFICIALS NOW. THIS IS NOT BECAUSE WE DO NOT EXPECT HOME
OFFICE MINISTERS TO GIVE THE ASSURANCES WE ARE ASKING FOR BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT YET GOT FIRM CONFIRMATION THAT WE WILL DO
so.
WE WOULD BE IN TROUBLE IF WE DREW PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE THIRD READING AND IN THE EVENT NOTHING NEW CAME OUT OF IT.
3. WE THEREFORE SUGGEST THAT IF YOU ARE PRESSED BY EXCO ON 2 JUNE, ON AN ANSWER TO SIR SY CHUNG'S LETTER, YOU SHOULD SAY THAT IT IS BEING CONSIDERED VERY CAREFULLY AND YOU EXPECT
A REPLY TO ISSUE PROBABLY BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
CARRINGTON
NNNN
DIST
LIMITED
PS/PUS
SIR E YOUDE
HKGD
NTD
MR DONALD MR ADAMS
MVD
PS
PS/LPS
PS/MR BLAKER PS/MK LUCE
1
SECRET
COPIES TO
HKGO LONDON
277