GRS 210
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 4147
OF 16053OZ DECEMBER 86
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
SECRET
HKK ON!
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
(538
See 540
RECE
TRY
1 & DEC 1986
(512
KARY
stion Taken
MY TELNO 3950 : 1987 REVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OR REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE SURVEY OFFICE.
MIFT CONTAINS TEXT OF A DRAFT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PAPER ON THIS SUBJECT, FOLLOWING PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL.
2. THE SIGNIFICANT POINTS MADE BY MEMBERS ARE FIRST THAT THE SURVEY OFFICE WILL REPORT FACTUALLY AND NOT REPEAT NOT ASSESS VIEWS RECEIVED: THIS IS THE TASK OF THE EXECUTIVE AND IN DUE COURSE THE LEGISLATURE.
3. SECOND, THE TASK OF EXPLAINING TO THE PUBLIC THE CONTENTS OF THE GREEN PAPER WOULD BE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION, NOT THE SURVEY OFFICE. THIS WOULD BE MADE CLEAR AT THE VERY BEGINNING. VERY CAREFUL BRIEFING WOULD BE NECESSARY OF DISTRICT OFFICERS AND OTHERS CHARGED WITH EXPLAINING THE GREEN PAPER TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT ACCUSED OF FORWARDING ANY PARTICULAR GOVERNMENT VIEW.
4. THIRD, THE CHINESE SHOULD NOT BE CONSULTED REPEAT CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSALS. THE TIMING AND MANNER OF INFORMING THEM REQUIRES FURTHER CONSIDERATION, BUT MEMBERS NOTED THAT IN THE CASE OF THE RECENT CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES, SOME THREE WORKING DAYS NOTICE HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE CHINESE BY HANDING THEM AN ADVANCE COPY.
5. YOUR COMMENTS ARE INVITED ON THE PROPOSALS IN THE DRAFT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMORANDUM. WE NOW HOPE TO PUT IT FORMALLY TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR THE 13TH OR 20TH JANUARY MEETINGS.
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