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5. Sir Patrick of course has a point. However the form of
consultation was chosen by Ministers after a careful consideration
of the possibilities and constraints. I do not think it would have
been right to draw up the terms of reference of the Monitors in such
a way that they would in effect be adjudicating on whether or not
Ministers had got it right.
6.
Sir Patrick is I think also suggesting that his report might
need to comment on the way in which the agreement had been
publicised in Hong Kong. This is not specifically in the terms of
reference, though they do state that the team should "be free to
witness such aspects of the exercise of consultation....
may wish".
as it
7.
I think in fact that it would be surprising if the Monitors did
not make some reference to these aspects at least in the
introduction to their report, and if the reference was in positive
terms, it would be helpful if they did. I suggest that the
Secretary of State might say this. But I do not think that the
terms of reference should be broadened (and Sir P Nairne does not
suggest this).
8.
In general I think it will be useful if there is plenty of
informal consultation and exchange of ideas between the Hong Kong
Government, the Assessment Office, and the Monitors as the exercise
proceeds. Such exchanges should not need to be confirmed by the
terms of reference.
5 September 1984
гретый
A C Galsworthy
Hong Kong Department
CONFIDENTIAL