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rop Copy
GPS 225
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DESK BY 25030OZ
FM HONG KONG 25015OZ FEB 84
TO IMMEDIATE SINGAPORE (FOR PS/MR LUCE) TELEGRAM NUMBER 5 OF 25 FEBRUARY 1984
FOLLING TELEGRAM NOW REPEATED TO YOU:-
BEGINS:
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FM FCO 2417OOZ FEB 84
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 352 OF 24 FEBRUARY INFO PRIORITY PEKING
YOUR TELNO
MOTION.
12
MKK040 31
R
1/4
P.
64
(NOT TO PEKING) FUTURE OF HONG KONG: EARLY DAY
1. IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD FIND TIME TO DEBATE THIS, EVEN IF IT WERE RAISED AT THE BUSINESS STATEMENT ON 1 MARCH.
2. SO FAR THIS MOTION HAS, AS YOU SAY, ATTRACTED 27 SIGNATURES, BUT FROM MP'S ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE. WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THIS NUMBER.
3. IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL PROCEDURES FOR SUCH MOTIONS WE HAVE PROVIDED:
(A) A 'LINE TO TAKE' FOR THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE. (B) NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES.
4. (A) ABOVE REITERATES HMG'S COMMITMENT IN THE TALKS TO SEEK A SOLUTION ACCEPTABLE, INTER ALIA TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WITH WHOM WE ARE IN CONTINUOUS CONSULTATION. IT ALSO UNDERLINES THAT IN DUE COURSE IT WILL BE FOR PARLIAMENT TO GIVE ITS VIEWS ON ACCEPTABILITY OF ARRANGEMENTS MADE WITH THE CHINESE, TAKING HONG KONG'S VIEWS INTO ACCOUNT.
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