CONFIDENTIAL
HKK 049/2._._._.
SJEN
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83
Searcday of State
Seareten
FROM: A C GALSWORTHY, HKD
DATE: 23 January 1985
cc: PS/Lady Young
PS/Mr Luce
Dr Wilson
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Mr Burrows, Legal Advisers
Parliamentary Unit
Private Secretary
HONG KONG BILL: ORDERS IN COUNCIL ON NATIONALITY
1. As agreed, I submit a draft minute from the Secretary of State to the Leader of the House, copied to Lord Whitelaw, the Home Secretary and the Chief Whip canvassing the possibility of introducing the draft Order in Council on nationality to the House for a preliminary debate before the House is finally asked to approve it. I understand that the Secretary of State has already discussed this with Mr Biffin. I have since spoken to Murdo McLean
in the Chief Whip's office, and understand that they are sympathetic to our approach. He himself provided the precedent of the milk A, 3 quota regulations.
2.
This subject was also discussed at a meeting with Mr Luce on
22 January. Mr Luce took the view that in order to preempt further trouble on the Hong Kong Bill we ought to take a decision on the handling of the Order in Council very quickly.
If this can be done
it would be helpful if the Opposition could be informed of it before the business statement on 24 January when it will become apparent
that the committee stage of the Hong Kong Bill has been postponed.
3. We think it would also be helpful if, on the assumption that
the Opposition ask when the committee stage will be taken, the
Leader of the House were able to say that it would be in the week
beginning 4 February.
Пятакий
Hong Kong Department
CONFIDENTIAL