CONFIDENTIAL
Redacted under FOI exemption 40(2)
elected in 1985. Those who have advised against making
too many changes too quickly will be pleased to note that
the elected members of LEGCO will still be in a minority
in 1985 and that there are no firm proposals for direct
elections. I have informed the Governor that he may
proceed with the publication of the White Paper, subject
to detailed consideration of its text by EXCO.
I have also considered the question of how and when
to consult or inform the Chinese before the publication
of the White Paper. Hong Kong's view is that there ought
to be little in the revised proposals that should alarm
the Chinese, as they do not involve the introduction of
direct elections or any changes in the Executive Council
or the position of the Governor. However, the Governor
considers that it would be prudent to given the Chinese
more notice than we did before the Green Paper was
published (24 hours). Peking agree with this. I have
therefore given instructions that the text should be
handed over 4 or 5 days before publication, and explained
in detail to the Chinese, though without seeking their
views on it. The Ambassador will take the line that the
proposals do not vary significantly from the Green Paper
and are entirely consistent with the terms of the draft
agreement. There is of course a danger that the Chinese
will object to certain parts of the White Paper and seek
to make amendments,
If so, we shall have to consider
carefully whether we can accommodate these. But I
/believe
i