CONFIDENTIAL
4.
On the timing of the production of this year's
report and the period to be covered we could follow one of two options:
(a)
repeat the pattern of last year and present the
report to Parliament at the end of the year,
covering a one-year period up to the end of
October 1986.
(b)
5.
move towards a pattern of annual reports, each covering a calendar year. This year's report, like the first, would cover a period a little
longer than a year (November 1985 to the end of
1986). It would be presented early in 1987.
Thereafter
rhythm.
there would be a tidy annual
The principal reason why the first report covered
the period to the end of
end of October 1985 was So that this
would end with the opening of
of the LEGCO session in Hong
Kong. This arrangement had been agreed at a time when it
was envisaged that the report would essentially consist of
the Governor's opening address to LEGCO. The idea was
subsequently dropped on the grounds that the Governor's
address would not be appropriate as a report from the
report
tailored
to
Parliament's
Secretary of State to Parliament. We opted instead for a
self-contained
requirements, while keeping to the earlier agreed
timetable.
6.
There is however no compelling reason to stick to
the October-October period. I think it would make more
sense to move towards reports corresponding to calendar
years. The Governor has been consulted on this point and agrees. I therefore suggest that we adopt option (b)
above.
CONFIDENTIAL