CONFIDENTIAL
Seviton State (157
Covery SECRET and PERSONAL
Blo
Han
34014
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
1 1 MAY 1990
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taken!
Private Secretary
HID
Mr Morris
From:
RJT McLaren
Date:
Cc:
?= 14/3 Wals
7 March 1990
PS/Mr Maude Mr Gillmore
Mr Paul, HKD Mr Fifoot, Legal
Advisers
Mr Lidington Mr Fraser
A
HONG KONG : ASSURANCES
1.
Mr Paul, Mr John Morris (HKD) and I had a meeting this morning with senior Home Office officials to follow up the points arising from the Prime Minister's meeting with the Secretary of State and the Home Secretary on 6 March
(Mr Powell's minute of that date). Mr Langdon, Mr Bob Morris and Mr Hammond were among those present on the Home Office side.
Approved Secondment Scheme (ASS)
2.
It was agreed at the Prime Minister's meeting that the Secretary of State and the Home Secretary should reach an agreed position on this before the OD (K) meeting now set for 15 March The Home Office made it clear that they, and the Home Secretary personally, still wished to see the Scheme dropped. Their arguments were:-
·
(a) Under the other schemes, the Home Secretary
would simply be endorsing the Governor's recommendations; his discretion would be very
(b)
(c)
limited.
By contrast, the ASS would involve a large exercise of discretion by the Home Secretary which would need to appear on the surface of the Bill. There would be scope for challenge by way of judicial review.
In this situation, there could be "tensions" between the two parts of the Bill which could delay its introduction and would complicate its handling.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ (d)