GRS 350
SECRET
DESKBY 03110OZ FCO
FI HONG KONG 030955Z JUL 34
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
SECRET
TELEGRAT NUMBER 1803 OF 3 JULY
INFO IKMEDIATE PEKING
YOUR TELNO 1198
(25)
ЧСК
01113
RECEIVED IN REJISTRY
·4 JUL1984
DENK OSATZ
INDEX
PA
sh
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
CONSULTATIONS IN LONDON AND WITH EXCO.
1. I TOLD EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THIS MORNING OF THE ISSUES WHICH I WOULD BE DISCUSSING IN LONDON THIS WEEK AS SET OU IN PARA 1 OF YOUR TUR, AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE THEIR ADVICE ON THESE MATTERS ON MY RETURN.
2. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSSION ON THE QUESTION OF THE ELECTION OF A GOVERNOR IN THE 1990'S IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GREEN
PAPER. BUT MEMBERS RECOGNISED THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
INVOLVED, BOTH LOCALLY AND IN RELATION TO HMG, WERE MAJOR ONES. THEY LOOKED FORWARED TO A PAPER SETTING OUT THE ISSUES CAREFULLY.
THEY BELIEVED THAT THE SELECTION AND POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR WOULD
BE AN ISSUE OF BURNING INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY AND THAT PUBLIC OPINION, WHICH WOULD BE ALERTED BY THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER, WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE ANY
CONCLUSIONS WERE REACHED.
3. ON WHETHER THE LOCATION OF THE JOINT GROUP SHOULD BE USED AS A BARGAINING COUNTER, THERE WAS LITTLE DISCUSSION SINCE THE ISSUES INVOLVED HAVE NOT YET BEEN SET OUT FOR THEM. BUT THE INITIAL REACTION OF MEMBERS, UNPROMPTED, WAS TO EXPRESS THEIR SERIOUS CONCERN AT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG
KONG. THEY WILL EXPECT TO BE CONSULTED FORMALLY ON MY RETURN.
YOUDE
Origiaci at:
CHECKS O26/12 This Copy tor:
Jutero.ction ody fader on Party
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
COPIES TO:-
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISERS(SIR J FREELAND) PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
SIR C TICKELL MR GOODALL
PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS NEWS DEPT
MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS
MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS
MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFIC MR CARTLEDGE CABINET OFFICE
MR BRENNAN
CABINET OFFICE
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE
PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR P CRADOCK ROOM K195
SECRET SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST.
211