GPS 275
SECRET
SECRET
FM HONG KONG 010455Z FEB 84
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 261 OF 1 FEBRUARY 1984
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
MY TELNO 36.
REVIEW OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION.
TOP COPY
HKK 01113
- 3 FED 1934
бе See 28
See 35
No
The 253
BAR.
MIFT CONTAINS THE DRAFT OF THE STATEMENT TO BE MADE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 15 FEBRUARY BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
WE SHALL BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS, IF ANY, BY 7 FEBRUARY.
2. THE TIMETABLE ENVISAGED IS AS FOLLOWS, VIZ:
(1) THE AGREED DRAFT WILL BE PUT TO EXCO FOR MEMBERS' CONSIDERATION UNDER COVER OF A BRIEF MEMORANDUM ON 14 FEBRUARY (NECESSITATING ITS ISSUE ON 9 FEBRUARY AT THE LATEST)
(2) ON THE AFTERNOON OF 14 FEBRUARY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WILL BE BRIEFED, IN CONFIDENCE, ON THE GENERAL THRUST OF THE STATEMENT AND THE POLITICAL ADVISER WILL INFORM THE NCNA (FOLLOWING THE PRECEDENT SET IN 1980 BEFORE THE GREEN PAPER ON A PATTERN OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WAS PUBLISHED):
(3) AFTER THE STATEMENT HAS BEEN MADE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ACTION WILL BE PUT IN HAND TO PREPARE THE NECESSARY IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION AND WORK OUT THE ORGANISATIONAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, LEGAL AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSALS.
3. THERE ARE OBVIOUS TACTICAL ADVANTAGES IN THE STATEMENT BEING MADE ON 15 FEBRUARY: FIRST, WE SHALL AVOID ANY CONNECTION BEING MADE BETWEEN WHAT IS PROPOSED AND THE TALKS ON HONG KONG'S FUTURE: AND SECONDLY, AS THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS IS ON 22/23 FEBRUARY, WE SHALL AVOID THE RISK OF THE CHINESE ACCUSING US, AS IT WERE, OF BEING DISCOURTEOUS FOR WE SHALL HAVE INFORMED THEM BEFOREHAND. AT
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/THE