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CODE 18-77
RESTRICTED
Reference....
Mr Ehrman
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Mr Galsworthy
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25742
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Me Holy
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL
PA
1. You will recall that when Mr Luce wrote to Mr Faulds MP last
week, he mentioned that the Hong Kong Government was still
considering the question of "Parliamentary" privileges being
extended to LEGCO members. Mr Faulds has now replied to
indicate that he looks forward to knowing the outcome of this.
2.
The position is far from clear on this issue.
You may recall that we considered in the context of the amendments to the Letters Patent whether the power of assent to Bills affecting the powers, privileges and immunities of LEGCO members should be specifically reserved to the Crown; and decided that it need not. We have heard nothing since, but for a cryptic reference in the EXCO minutes of 19 March to a UMELCO study of a Bill on the subject. The Bill (so far as I can ascertain) has yet to be considered by EXCO.
3.
I propose to use the opportunity offered by Mr Fauld's latest letter to ask Hong Kong what is happening on the Bill. A draft telegram is attached.
25 April 1985
CE Leeks
Hong Kong Department
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