HKK
GOLIVE"
SECRET
011/3
26 JUN1994
PM/84/106
ло
&
PRIME MINISTER
1.
Hong Kong:
HID
Filtr Luce
PS1 Rus
Sir P. Cradock
J. Hording Sir. J. Grasla.)
"Wow fea Mar Orr
(191)
Mirfallen Research Dest
Original letter
10 PM on Agenda
Ikn
2
Constitutional Developments before 1997
On
HKK
674
John Coles' letter of 22 March conveyed your agreement to
development in Hong Kong up
the proposals for constitutional
to 1997 contained in the draft memorandum attached to my
minute of 19 March. This memorandum was put to the Executive
Council on 10 April.
The Council was broadly in agreement with
the proposals, subject to a few minor amendments that demonstrated
their cautious approach to this issue, and advised that the
Hong Kong Government should proceed with the drafting of a Green
Paper for publication during the summer. I referred to this
Green Paper when winding up the debate on Hong Kong in the House
on 16 May.
2. A draft Green Paper was considered by the Executive Council
on 19 June. I attach a copy of Hong Kong telno 1669 which
contains the text: as revised in the light of EXCO's comments.
The proposals, which are summarised in paragraph 65, are very
much on the lines of those we approved in March.
3. It is likely that in Hong Kong and the UK the main interest
will focus on the proposed arrangements for the indirect election
of members of the Legislative Council and the arguments put
forward for not introducing any element of direct elections at
this level. These can be expected to receive a mixed reception.
Some will agree with the Hong Kong Government's arguments
(paragraphs 27 and 28 of the draft Green Paper). Other will
S.E CRET
/claim