3
CONFIDENTIAL
HIKA 012/6
(59
FROM:
HKB 012
16
A R Paul
Hong Kong Department
RECEIVED IN
DATE:
21 June 1990
06 AUG 1990
CC:
Mr McLaren
Mr Burns
Ms Major,
HKD
Mr Fifoot, Legal
Advisers
Mr Stone, HKD
AMENDMENTS TO THE LETTERS PATENT AND RELATED ISSUES
1. Following our discussion yesterday, I have now signed off the telegram to Hong Kong containing our detailed comments on Hong Kong's proposed amendments to the Letters Patent and Royal Instructions.
2.
We agreed that the following action will be necessary:
(a) A submission to Ministers incorporating all the proposed changes to the Letters Patent. This should reach me
by close of play Tuesday 10 July, after clearance with Mr Fifoot, who I assume will be in the office on Tuesday 10 July. I will then submit it for Mr Maude's box on Wednesday 11 July.
(b) A telegram from me to the Governor about whether the Letters Patent should be amended to give the Governor reserve powers of legislation; and whether the Colonial Laws Validity Act should also be amended. We should aim to get this off before the Governor sets off for London, so that there would be the opportunity to discuss it with him while he is here. This means issuing the telegram by Monday 25 June.
(c) A submission to Ministers incorporating the Governor's views. I would like to dispose of this before my departure on leave on Friday 13 July.
3. As I told you yesterday, I agree with Mr Fifoot that these issues should be fully considered by Ministers, and that OD (K) should probably be consulted. I do not however think that it would be realistic to reach a decision on these matters quickly, and certainly not by 18 July (ie in time for the last Privy Council before the summer break).
ARPanc
A R Paul
JONADP
CONFIDENTIAL