ODE 18 77
Mr Hám
cc: Mr Morris
Mr Hoare
65
SECRET
"Reference"
The sentit lte/ Pelo. HICK
*ESTAY
24/31
سم مسلس
7
la on 207
16 FEB 1984
FUTURE OF HONG KONG: CENTRAL ISSUES WORKING PAPERS
1.
No
REGISTRY Action Taken
KER
At Mr Luce's discussion with EXCO Unofficials today a number of suggestion were made which will need to be taken into account in producing revised drafts. The Unofficials now appear to accept the need to push ahead with these papers as quickly as possible. Their own interest in agreeing on an interim statement with the Chinese before September 1984 argues for us getting as much material presented and discussed quickly.
We need to work out a timetable to aim at. It is clear that the paper on Nationality will be by far the most difficult.
2.
Nevertheless our objective should be to get most of the papers in by the beginning of March with at least some substantive discussion completed by mid-April.
3.
(a)
Now:
The following are suggested stages for each paper:
Defence and Internal Security
25 January:
Submit simultaneously to Foreign and Defence Secretaries;
Week beginning 6 February:
15 February:
Agreed minute submitting issues and working papers to Prime Minister with copies to OD colleagues;
Revised paper sent to Hong Kong and Peking and circulated to EXCO; Discussion with EXCO;
Week beginning 20 February: Presentation to Chinese.
(b) Public Service
Now:
Week beginning 23 January:
Week beginning 30 January:
Week beginning 6 February:
Revision of draft on basis of EXCO's points;
Agreement of revised draft with Hong Kong and Peking;
Submission to Secretary of State;
Submission to Prime Minister;
Week beginning 13 February: Submission to and discussion with EXCO; Week beginning 20 February: Presentation to Chinese.
(c)
Constitutional Structures
As for (b)
(a)
Nationality
19 January:
Week beginning 23 January:
Meeting with Mr Luce to discuss EXCO's points and tactics with Home Office; Submission to Secretary of State and despatch of minute to Home Secretary and Prime Minister:
/Week
SECRET