SECRET
HKD
7
HKK 040/53
RECEIVED. REGISTRY
1 50CT 1984
DESK OFFICER
FCS/84/229
INDEX
PA
JAK 16H
REGISTRY
Action Taken
LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
1.
ps/Mr Luce
PS/pus
Sir P. Crococh
Sir J. Freebad
sir w. Harding
News Dent
FED
Parl, wit
Future of Hong Kong: Legislation Mr wather, Researd.
You will remember that we have spoken briefly about
the possible need for legislation on Hong Kong in the legislative programme for 1984-85.
2.
We are now working for an initialled agreement with
the Chinese by the end of September. This will be followed
by a period of assessment of the acceptability of the agreement to the people of Hong Kong and a debate in the House of Commons, probably early in December. We have undertaken to
sign the agreement before the end of the year.
3.
One of the factors in the negotiation is the date of
ratification of the agreement. The Chinese attach considerable
importance to early ratification, and originally proposed that
the agreement should stipulate that the exchange of instruments
of ratification should take place within 30 days of signature.
We have explained to them that ratification can only follow
legislation in the British Parliament to allow the United
Kingdom to divest itself of sovereignty. The Chinese appear to accept this, but insist that we should include within the Agreement (to be called a Joint Declaration) a date for
ratification. Since the Chinese want to complete work on the draft agreement by 10 September, we need to reach a view quickly
on the timetable for completing the passage of a Hong Kong Bill.
Early ratification is also important from our own point of view
to put an end to uncertainty in Hong Kong.
4.
In all the circumstances my considered view is that July
1985 is the latest date which we could reasonably put to the
Chinese for ratification. Even this will not be easy for them.
SECRET
/It