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(b) Defence and Internal Security.
(c)
(d)
Draft agreed with Hong Kong and
Peking. About to be submitted to Secretary of State and Mr
Heseltine.
Hong Kong Public Service. Hong Kong to provide a draft.
Governor has raised a number of technical points for discussion
this week.
Central Government Structures. Governor's paper considered by EXCO. Now before OD (K). Working paper depends on Ministers'
discussions with EXCO and decisions on key points.
X
EXCO
7. The Governor has emphasised the need for the working papers to
be discussed with EXCO. This is even more important for those on key issues. The problem is whether EXCO should be consulted before
or after Ministers, including those of other Departments, have made decisions on the basic points. This is tricky, particularly on
questions such as nationality, where UK domestic policy is closely
affected. In practice we shall have to have at least a preliminary
run over the ground during the EXCO Unofficials' visit. We should
show them the draft papers on nationality and defence and ask for
their views, while making clear that the Ministers position is fully
reserved.
Dir
R D Clift
9 January 1984
Hong Kong Department
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