3
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CONFIDENTIAL
5.
(b)
(c)
(d)
Chapter 2 may be a crucial chapter from the point of view of the U.K. and Parliament in explaining how, in practice, consultation in Hong Kong works.
Chapter 3 will presumably have a number of annexes associated with it, if only for the purpose of providing the factual summaries which the AO has been asked to produce. It would seem to be particularly important to bring out in this chapter the extent of the doubts and fears that had been expressed; and, bearing in mind the need for amending legislation in the U.K., a detailed annex dealing with nationality points could obviously be helpful. But I am sure the F.C.O. is right in emphasising that the main thrust of the chapter must convey the view of the Assessment Office on the extent of acceptability.
Chapter 4 (though the chapter may turn out to be different in the event) may, I suppose, take the form of a summary of what has already been carefully drafted in previous chapters. In reports of this kind there is an obvious risk in appearing to be saying more or less the same thing, but in different words, in more than one place in the report.
I was naturally interested to read the reference to the Franks Report. Members of the Franks Committee did not accept the criticisms as fair ! Paragraph 6 of the F.C.O. telegram makes one a little anxious in case Ministers are persuading themselves that the Assessment Office, which has to base its report on what it has received, can present conclusions which are more simple and precise than may in the event be possible.
6.
May I emphasise that my mind is still very open and that these comments are primarily intended as a contri- bution to our discussion ? I note that you have already had a talk with the Governor.
Patrick Naivne
(Patrick Nairne)
18.10.84