CONFIDENTIAL
circumstances could arise if it emerged that the Deputy President was totally unsuited for the job.
4.
-
Mr Fifoot has once again come back to his themes on
reserve powers and the Colonial Laws Validity Act. I do not think that this context is in fact the one that these points should be taken up with the Governor assuming that we do want to take them up. Mr Fifoot has kindly attached to his
minute a submission from Sir G Howe to the Prime Minister of
1985 which I was not aware of. However I think that this
weakens his case for taking the question up again since it
seems clear that the previous Governor was against the
proposals and it is also clear that the Hong Kong Government remains against the proposals. I am not in a position to
say whether the current Governor himself has focussed on
these issues recently but frankly I doubt the need to revert
to him.
5. If you agree I shall take up with Mr Fifoot the points
concerning the Letters Patent and will draft you something
to send Mr Fifoot on the reserve powers and the Colonial
Laws Validity Act.
Mill
M V Stone
CONFIDENTIAL