CONFIDENTIAL
57 1
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BILL IS DISCUSSED. THIS CAN IN PRACTICE BE DONE ONLY ON THE
BASIS OF OUTLINE PROVISIONS WRITTEN INTO THE BILL. IT WOULD NOT
BE UNDERSTOOD IF THE GOVERNMENT APPEARED TO BE AVOIDING
DISCUSSION OF THIS ASPECT. INDEED IT IS PRECISELY BECAUSE THEY
ARE A MATTER FOR HMG THAT PARLIAMENT IS LIKELY TO INSIST- THAT
REFERENCE TO THE NATIONALITY PROVISIONS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE
BILL. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HONG KONG BILL WILL BE AN IMPORTANT
STEP IN PARLIAMENTARY TERMS. IT WILL BE THE SETTING FOR A STATEMENT
ON THE WAY IN WHICH HMG INTENDS TO FULFIL ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. MP'S WILL WANT TO BE ASSURED THAT HMG
IS INDEED FULFILLING ITS COMITMENTS TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG
IN THE IMPORTANT AREA OF NATIONALITY AS IN OTHER WAYS. IF HMG
WAS TO REMAIN SILENT ON THIS POINT, OUR COMMITMENT COULD BE IN
DOUBT. UNCERTAINTY ON THIS POINT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT
PARLIAMENT'S REACTION TO THOSE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL ON WHICH
RAPID AGREEMENT IS NECESSARY IF THE PROCESS OF RATIFICATION IS TO
BE COMPLETED BY THE STIPULATED DATE OF 30 JUNE. ALL THIS IS A
MATTER OF PARLIAMENTARY HANDLING ON WHICH MINISTERS MUST BE ABLE
TO FOLLOW THEIR OWN JUDGMENT.
HOWE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT
}
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER) PS
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARD ING
MR WILSON
SIR J FREELAND
MR J CROWLEY, PUSE
ip-
COPIES TO:(VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISERS
MR MARTIN, ASST STAFF CABINET
OFFICE
MR CARTLEDGE, CABINET OFFICE MR COLVIN, CABINET OFFICE
SIR P CRADOCK, NO 10 DOWNING ST MIZ. W.HYDE
MR. H. PHILLIPS
HOME OFFICE
CONFIDENTIAL147 PAKENHAM -WALSH
LEGAL ADVISERS
HOME OFFICE)
کنم