SECRET
267
141257
MDHIAN 6694
нко 340/4
RECEIVED IN HEGIS "Y
2 5 MAY 1990
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 3013OOZ FCO
TELNO 1107
OF 30120OZ MARCH 90
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
DESK OFFICER
FRY
INDEX
PA
Action Taker.
PERSONAL FOR PAUL, HKD
HKGOL PERSONAL FOR YAXLEY
UK NATIONALITY SCHEME: PUBLICATION ARRANGEMENTS
1. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE BILL IS TO BE PUBLISHED ON THE MORNING OF 5 APRIL CLONDON TIME), AFTER NOTICE OF PUBLICATION IS GIVEN TO PARLIAMENT THE DAY BEFORE. UNFORTUNATELY, 5 APRIL IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN HONG KONG AND THIS ADDS A TRICKY DIMENSION TO PR HANDLING.
2. WE HAD ORIGINALLY INTENDED THAT CERTAIN KEY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG COMELCO, SELECTED EDITORS/JOURNALISTS, AND THE CIVIL SERVICE CENTRAL CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS) WOULD BE GIVEN A BRIEFING IN CONFIDENCE VERY SHORTLY BEFORE PUBLICATION IN LONDON. THE OBJECT OF SUCH BRIEFING WOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT THE BILL, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE SCHEME DETAILS, ARE NOT RECEIVED COLD IN HONG KONG. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO ASSEMBLE THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT SHORT NOTICE ON A PUBLIC HOLIDAY. THERE ARE ALREADY PRESS REPORTS EMANATING FROM LONDON OF PARTS OF THE CONTENTS OF THE SCHEME, SOME SPECULATIVE AND INACCURATE, OTHERS TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT. IT WILL BE INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE LINE HERE. WE SHOULD THUS LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE CONFIDENTIAL BRIEFINGS AS LATE AS POSSIBLE ON 4 APRIL UNLESS YOU FEEL THAT THIS WOULD CREATE INSURMOUNTABLE PR PROBLEMS AT YOUR END.
WILSON
YYYY
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