GRS 268
CONFIDENTIAL
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2 1 JUN 1985
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26920 - 2
Action Takan
FM FCO 201740Z JUN 85
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 869 OF 20 JUNE
PA
са
I
YOUR TELNO 1227: LEGCO (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL
1. WE HAVE CONSULTED LEGAL ADVISERS ON THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED
IN TUR. THEY HAVE SUGGESTED THAT YOUR PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 8(3) MIGHT BE REVISED SLIGHTLY IN ORDER TO AVOID THE CONSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATION THAT THE INITIATIVE TO GRANT AUTHORITY
TO THE PRESIDENT IN THESE OR OTHER MATTERS LIES WITH THE
COUNCIL, AND ALSO TO AVOID THEIMPRESSION THAT COUNCIL AND
PRESIDENT DO NOT IN FACT TOGETHER COMPRISE THE COUNCIL.
2. LEGAL ADVISERS THEREFORE PROPOSE THAT THE AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 8(3) MIGHT BETTER READ AS FOLLOWS: 'FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF THE PRECINCTS OF THE CHAMBER, ENSURING THE DECORUM OF PERSONS THEREIN AND FOR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES, THE PRESIDENT MAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL TO SUCH EFFECT, ISSUE FROM TIME TO TIME SUCH ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS AS HE MAY DEEM NECESSARY OR
EXPEDIENT FOR REGULATING THE ADMITTANCE OF PERSONS (OTHER THAN MEMBERS OR OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL) TO, AND THE CONDUCT OF SUCH PERSONS WITHIN, THE CHAMBER AND THE PRECINCTS OF THE CHAMBER'. 3. WE HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS ON THE TEXT.
4.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WARNING OF FURTHER POSSIBLE
CRITICISM. WHETHER TO PROCEED OR NOT IS VERY MUCH A MATTER FOR
YOUR ASSESSMENT, ON WHICH WE ARE CONTENT TO RELY. MINISTER
CANNOT BE CONSULTED BY YOUR DEADLINE, AND IN ANY CASE WE WOULD NOT EXPECT THEM TO WISH TO OFFER DETAILED COMMENTS ON THE TEXT AT
THIS LATE STAGE. WE SHALL WARN THEM OF THE DECISION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF CRITICISM.
HOWE
DISTRIBUTION
LIMITED
HKD
PS
PS/MR LUCE
SIR W HARDING
DR WILSON
COPIES
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR BICKFORD, LEGAL ADVISERS
HKGO LONDON
CONFIDENTIAL
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