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7. I shall be writing to thank the Governor for the despatch and to send him some comments. I recommend that the despatch be given a
selective distribution, covering interested FCO departments and
relevant posts abroad.
A.R.Par
AR PAUL
This is a timely despatch and I hope that Ministers will at least have time to glance at it before tomorrow's meeting with the Governor.
2. The points in the penultimate paragraph of the despatch are well taken. The evolution of LEGCO into a more politicised and more independent-minded body will certainly make the task of the Hong Kong Government more difficult in the run-up to 1997. But it will also make it more difficult for HMG to fulfil its responsibilities for the administration of the territory, particularly if the feeling among LEGCO members that the British Government is seeking to distance itself from Hong Kong continues to grow.
3. It might be helpful if, after the meeting with the Governor, copies of the despatch could be sent to the Secretary of State's ministerial colleagues most closely concerned with Hong Kong (the Home Secretary, the Chancellor, and the Secretaries of State for Defence, Trade and Industry and Transport). If this is agreed I will ask the Department to draft a covering Private Secretary letter.
4. As Mr Paul notes, there are implications for post-1997. Under the Joint declaration, the Legislative Council must be "constituted by elections". The Governor's present view is that there is no satisfactory means of providing for continuing
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