1
Sir P Cradock
Private Secretary
CONFIDENTIAL
АКК
AKK 040/53
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
1 1 DEC 1984
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taken
HONG KONG BILL : CONSIDERATION BY EXCO
132
FROM:
A C Galsworthy
DATE:
11 December 1984
CC:
PS/Mr Luce
PS/PUS
Sir J Freeland
Dr Wilson
Mr
Burrows
PROBLEM
1.
•
The Hong Kong Bill must be considered by the Legislation (L) Committee on 9 January This requires circulation on 2 January. The Governor says that EXCO cannot consider the Bill until 4 January. How should we proceed?
RECOMMENDATION
2. I recommend that the Secretary of State requests the Governor to put the draft bill to EXCO in time for their views to reach us by 2 January at the latest. I submit a draft telegram.
A
BACKGROUND AND AGREEMENT
3.
The Cabinet Office told us that the L Committee must consider the Bill no later than 9 January, so that the Bill can be introduced shortly thereafter, and the second reading take place in January. The Bill should be circulated to members of the Committee by 2 January.
4. Hong Kong officials have been consulted about the Bill, and we incorporated their comments in the revised instructions to counsel which led to the current third draft. The next step is to put the draft Bill to EXCO.
CONFIDENTIAL