RESTRICTED
10674 - 1
OO HONG KONG DESKBY 300100Z
GRS173
RESTRICTED
DESKBY 300100Z
FM FCO 291200Z MAR 83
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 297 OF 29 MARCH
NO DISTRIBUTION
HKGD.
PQ CONSTITUTIONAL PROGRESS OF DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
1.
MR IVOR STANBROOK HAS PUT DOWN THE FOLLOWING PQ FOR ORAL
ANSWER:
'TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
AFFAIRS, WHAT IS THE POLICY OF HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT REGARDING
THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROGRESS OF DEPENDENT TERRITORIES OF THE
UNITED KINGDOM'.
2. IT WILL NOT BE REACHED, SO SUPPLEMENTARIES ARE NOT REQUIRED.
WE PROPOSE TO REPLY:
'HMG'S GENERAL POLICY IS TO DEVELOP, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, DEPENDENT
TERRITORIES' CONSTITUTIONS BY STAGES TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE. WHERE
INDEPENDENCE IS A FEASIBLE OPTION, WE HELP AND ENCOURAGE THOSE
TERRITORIES WHO WISH TO BECOME INDEPENDENT WHILST NOT FORCING
INDEPENDENCE ON THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT IT'.
3. THE BACKGROUND NOTE FOR HONG KONG WILL EXPLAIN THAT
CONSTITUTIONAL ADVANCE IS HAMPERED BY THE FACT THAT THE NT LEASE
EXPIRES IN 1997, AND WILL DESCRIBE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE
COUNCILS.
4.
GRATEFUL FOR ANY COMMENTS DESKBY 301200Z.
PYM
HKG 02572.
RECEIVED IN REGISTERY NO. 57
5 APR 1963
393
ג
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
DESK OFFICER INDEX
1
RESTRICTED