GPS 200 SECRET
DESKSY FCO
DESK BY PEKING
19130OZ
2001DOZ
SECRET
けにに
011/3
RECEIVED REGISTRY
19 DEC 1983
38
FM HONG KONG 1911152 DEC 83
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1977 OF 19 DECEMBER 1983
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
за
MY TELNO 1973: FUTURE OF HONG KONG:
CONSTITUTIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL DEVELOPMENT
DESHOL
PA
INDEX
по
1. THE PAPER IN MY TUR IS IN THE FORM OF A DISCUSSION PAPER WHICH I SHOULD LIKE TO PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 3 IN PREPARATION FOR THE VISIT TO LONDON. I WOULD MAKE CLEAR THAT I WAS NOT SEEKING DECISIONS BUT IT WOULD NO DOUBT BE HELPFUL TO MINISTERS TO HAVE EXCO'S PRELIMINARY REACTIONS BEFORE THE LONDON REVIEW.
2. THE PAPER IS NOT DESIGNED AS A BLUEPRINT FOR THE EVENTUAL CONSTITUTION OF HONG KONG. IT PROPOSES A SERIES OF STEPS WHICH CAN BE TAKEN PROGRESSIVELY: AND THERE ARE MANY DETAILS TO BE FILLED IN AND ADJUSTMENTS TO BE MADE ALONG THE WAY. THE REASON FOR PROCEEDING IN THIS WAY IS THAT WE CANNOT NOW PREDICT WITH ANY CERTAINTY WHAT THE SITUATION OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE: OR WHAT DEGREE OF TOLERANCE OR OPPOSITION WE MIGHT GET FROM THE CHINESE TO OUR PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE ELECTIVE PROCESS. THIS LATTER FACTOR COULD WELL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL EFFECT ON THE NUMBERS AND KIND OF PEOPLE WHO WILL BE PREPARED TO OFFER THEMSELVES AS CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION AT EACH LEVEL AS OUR EXTENSION OF THE ELECTIVE PROCESS PROCEEDS.
3. THE PAPER ALSO MAKES CLEAR WHY IT IS NOT PRACTICAL TO MOVE
AND IMMEDIATELY TO A DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,
WHY A PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ELECTIVE SYSTEM IS IN ANY CASE MORE LIKELY TO SUIT THE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HONG KONG
YOUDE
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
TATRAENUSED
COPIES TO: (VIA DISTE. ROCK)
PLANNING STAFF
/PISD
D/ED/PUSD (E FLOWER)
RESEARCE DEPT(MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER(SIR LAN SINCLAIR)
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PSAR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR J BULLAED
MR GEFFARD
UR DONALD
MR FRIG
SIR C TICKELL
SEORET
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL
PS/FOLE SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND
INDUSTRY
COPIES TO:
(VLA ADR)
NEWS DEPT
ME ROBERTS
ME BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS ME COLES NO 10 DCTNING ST SIR A PARSONS
MR. MARTIN
IT
ASSESSMENT STAFF
CABINET OFFICE
R GOODALL CABINET OFFICE HR BRINGAN
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE FS/ATTORNEY GENERAL