CODE 18-77
Reference
Mr Clift TIK&GD
SECRET
HKRO40/9
RECEIVED VI RAGE 798. 31
- 6 MAY 1983
DEAK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
No
ROCISTRY Action Taken
смор
REVISION OF THE ANNEXES TO THE HONG KONG STUDY: YOUR MINUTE OF 25 APRIL.
1.
I have looked again at Annex G (Constitutional Position of Hong Kong) and Annex L (Legal System in Hong Kong) to the Special Study dated August 1982.
2.
I attach a revised version of Annex G. I have not attempted to express any views on the political questions posed -in paragraph 3 of your minute, and I also leave it to your
department to check the statistics and to clear with other FCO departments (your para. 2). For the most part I have simply made the amendments suggested in my minute to Mr Hoare of 30 March, and for the reasons explained in that minute. Additional points
are:-
Paragraph 14
3.
I have added a few more examples of cases where in the past we have exercised jurisdiction in the territory of other states (including China).
Paragraph 17
4.
I have added words which refer to the importance of maintaining British courts administering British law.
5.
I attach a text of Annex L which incorporates the amendments also suggested in my minute of 30 March. I have also added a new paragraph 27 reading as follows:
"British law, administered by British courts, is nevertheless one of the foundations upon which commercial confidence is based."
Annex 0 (Crown land leases in the New Territories)
6.
As I said on 30 March, this cannot really be revised until we have the advice of the Law Officers. At the moment we are awaiting Hong Kong's comments on a draft submission to the Law Officers.
7. Bunows
F Burrows
Legal Counsellor
27 April 1983
Monis
2. Mr. Morris of
2874
8207
SECRET
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