FCS/84/266
CONFIDENTIAL
MKK 040/53,
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
150CT 984
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
TAK KL
LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
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1.
HICD Wiro Ps
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Hong Kong: Legislation
PS1MrLuce
Six P. Cradock Sir J. Freeland
20
Mr Barrows hegoul Advisers Parliamentary Wuit
Mer Wood heagul fivises Miss Rudice Protocol Dest
In On(K) on 4 September we held a preliminary
discussion of the legislation which would be needed in order to implement the agreement on the future of Hong Kong. My officials are preparing a paper on this for circulation to the appropriate Cabinet committees: but I thought I should
let you know first which way our minds are now moving on
the major points involved.
2.
I am now writing to you as Chairman of Q(L) to say that
we have identified the following aspects of the arrangements
for Hong Kong's future which will require UK legislation:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
3.
the termination of sovereignty over the ceded
territories with effect from 1 July 1997;
amendment of the British Nationality Act 1981 to
create a new status for British Dependent Territories
citizens who enjoy that status by virtue of their
connection with Hong Kong;
modification of United Kingdom enactments consequent
upon termination of United Kingdom sovereignty;
granting of diplomatic privileges and immunities
to the Chinese members of the Joint Liaison Group
when it meets in London.
(c) and (d) are relatively straightforward. We envisage
that (c) will be dealt with by enabling clauses allowing the
detailed provisions to be made by Order in Council, or in certain cases by Hong Kong legislation. (d) would be dealt
with by a short clause in the Bill. These procedures will be explained in more detail in our paper.
CONFIDENTIAL
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