GRS 350
CONFIDENTIAL
CONTIDENTIAL
DESKBY FCO 061000Z
FM HONG KONG 060845Z MAR 05
REC
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
TELEGRAM NUMBER 469 OF 6 MARCH
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
HỌC ONE COPY
6 MAR 1985
YOUR TELNO. 361 : AMENDMENTS TO LETTERS PADENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS, ETC.
WE PROPOSE TO ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE EXPLAINING THE PROVISIONS
OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) BILL WHEN IT
IS GAZETTED ON 8 MARCH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR USUAL PROCEDURE.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE RELEASE IS IN MIFT.
2. WE DO NOT EXPECT REACTION TO THE BILL TO BE PARTICULARLY
CONTENTIOUS, EXCEPT PERHAPS IN RELATION TO THE PROVISIONS WHICH MENTION THE DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH MAY
BE PICKED UP EITHER HERE OR IN PEKING. WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED
ANY SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THESE PROVISIONS IN THE PRESS
RELEASE. HOWEVER, IF QUESTIONS ARE RAISED WE PROPOSE TO TAKE THE LINE THAT THERE IS NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT SUCH PROVISIONS,
WHICH ARE A STANDARD FEATURE IN MANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
THEY ARISE NATURALLY FROM THE CHANGE TO A PARTLY ELECTED
LEGISLATURE. THEY MERELY ENABLE THE GOVERNOR TO DISSOLVE THE
LEGISLATURE AND TO CALL FOR FRESH ELECTIONS SHOULD THIS BE
NECESSARY.
3. IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT QUESTIONS WILL BE RAISED HERE ABOUT
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE GOVERNOR'S POWER TO DISSOLVE THE LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL WHEN THE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE
GAZETTE HERE, AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE PRIVY COUNCIL
ON 20 MARCH. WE SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHAT KIND
OF EXPLANATION YOU PROPOSE TO GIVE IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS IN
LONDON WHEN THE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE PUBLISHED, AND FOR
YOUR ADVICE ON THE LINE WE SHOULD TAKE IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS
HERE.
4. PEKING WILL BE ABLE TO DRAW FREELY ON THE PRESS RELEASE IN
THE ADMITTEDLY UNLIKELY EVENT OF QUESTIONS BEING PUT TO THEM BY
THE CHINESE.
YOUDE
LIMITED.
HKD
FED
SIR W
MR
HARDING
'NOSTIM
COPIES TO
MIR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADV.
COMIDENTIAL