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CONFIDENTIAL
6. I do not believe that either (a) or (b) would be feasible in practice in Hong Kong. We would be undermining the authority of the Hong Kong Government in an area where, at least in local perceptions, HMG's interest is a relatively remote one; I therefore see no realistic alternative to making the announcement to Parliament in the afternoon of 15 June, a few hours after the Hong Kong announcement. When this procedure was adopted for the publication of the White Paper on Representative Government in February there was no disposition in Parliament to take exception to this: it was presumably seen as an inevitable consequence of the time difference between Hong Kong and London.
7.
Apart from timing, there remains the question of whether the announcement here should be in the form of an inspired written PQ or an oral statement. An inspired written PQ would be neater and easier; and MPs would know from the Order Paper that day that a written statement on the subject was imminent. On the othe hand, an oral statement would underline the importance we attach to the issue and would enable the Secretary of State to deal with any criticism of the new policy voiced by MPs.
8.
It is also for consideration whether Lord Glenarthur should
make a parallel statement to the House of Lords. We will be better placed to judge this after the Lords' debate on Hong Kong on 10
June.
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Announcement
CONFIDENTIAL