CONFIDENTIAL
07
526
MDHIAN 200
4. WHILE A DECISION HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN, OUR CONCERN IS THAT THE WAY RI XXI (1) IS PRESENTLY WORDED WILL NOT GIVE ANY FLEXIBILITY TO THE PRESIDING ARRANGEMENT, SINCE THE GOVERNOR (INCLUDING THE ACTING GOVERNOR AND THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, C.F. LETTERS PATENT ARTICLE XIX AND RI CLAUSE XXXVII) IS OBLIGED TO PRESIDE AT MEETINGS OF LEGCO SO FAR AS IS PRACTICABLE.
5. THUS SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS, WE PROPOSE TO AMEND RI CLAUSE XXI (1) SO THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY AT HIS DISCRETION CHOOSE TO LET THE DP PRESIDE AT A MEETING, INSTEAD OF HIMSELF. AN AMENDING CLAUSE STIPULATING THAT THE GOVERNOR SHALL BE THE PRESIDENT OF LEGCO, READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AMENDED RI XXI (2) (WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE DP) WOULD SEEM TO BE ADEQUATE FOR OUR PURPOSE.
6. IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO INCLUDE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IN THE PACKAGE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION, PROVIDED OF COURSE THAT A SATISFACTORY AMENDMENT COULD BE WORKED OUT IN TIME. GRATEFUL THEREFORE FOR YOUR EARLY RESPONSE.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
58
DISTRIBUTION
60
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
. (RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
NEWS D
PUSD
RAD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD
MR MCLAREN
MR BURNS
ADDITIONAL
2
MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS MISS BROOKS LEGAL ADVISERS
N N N N
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